Methods for treating anxiety disorders in patients via renal neuromodulation

ABSTRACT

Methods for treating anxiety disorders and for reducing a risk associated with developing an anxiety disorder in patients via therapeutic renal neuromodulation and associated systems are disclosed herein. Sympathetic nerve activity can contribute to several cellular and physiological conditions associated with anxiety disorders as well as an increased risk of developing an anxiety disorder. One aspect of the present technology is directed to methods for improving a patient&#39;s calculated risk score corresponding to an anxiety disorder status in the patient. Other aspects are directed to reducing a likelihood of developing an anxiety disorder in patients presenting one or more anxiety disorder risk factors. Renal sympathetic nerve activity can be attenuated to improve a patient&#39;s anxiety disorder status or risk of developing an anxiety disorder. The attenuation can be achieved, for example, using an intravascularly positioned catheter carrying a therapeutic assembly configured to use, e.g., electrically-induced, thermally-induced, and/or chemically-induced approaches to modulate the renal sympathetic nerve.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/528,876, filed Jul. 5, 2017; U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/528,867, filed Jul. 5, 2017; U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/570,597, filed Oct. 10, 2017; and to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/570,603, filed Oct. 10, 2017, all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology relates generally to systems, devices, andmethods for treating anxiety disorders and/or for reducing a riskassociated with developing an anxiety disorder in patients via renalneuromodulation.

BACKGROUND

An anxiety-related disorder is a mental condition that is characterizedby excessive anxiety, worry or fear about either a variety or a specificevent or activity, even when such event or activity is not presentand/or when the worry is disproportionate to the actual risk. Dependingon the severity of the anxiety-related symptoms, number of symptomsand/or persistence (e.g., duration) of symptoms, anxiety-relateddisorders can interfere with mental, physical and/or social function inthe affected person, greatly impacting quality of life. The World HealthOrganization estimates that more than 260 million people of all agessuffer from anxiety disorders, with 1 in 13 people globally sufferingfrom anxiety. Further, such disorders are ranked as the sixth largestcontributor to non-fatal health loss globally. Anxiety-related disorderscan affect a person at any age or time, with women being twice as likelyas men to experience an anxiety disorder in their lifetime.

Anxiety-related disorders are typically treated with a combination ofmedication (e.g., anti-anxiety medication) and psychotherapy. Despitecurrent treatment options, however, the burden of anxiety disorders andother related mental health conditions remains high, with nearly 30% ofadults affected by such disorders at some point in their lives (AmericanPsychiatric Association). As anxiety disorders can have severepsychological, cognitive, physical, social and economic impact onpatients as well as families and society, there is a need for treatmentsthat effectively treat and/or manage anxiety-related disorders,including the severity of symptoms associated with such disorders.Furthermore, there is a need for treatments that effectively reduce theincidence or development of an anxiety-related disorder, or provideother improvements in prognosis and outcomes for patients having, or atrisk of developing, an anxiety-related disorder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood withreference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings arenot necessarily to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed on illustratingclearly the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the human brain illustrating theneural structures of the limbic system involved in anxiety disorders.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual illustration of the sympathetic nervous system(SNS) and how the brain communicates with the body via the SNS.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual illustration of the peripheral and brainrenin-angiotensin-systems in the human body.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged anatomic view of nerves of a left kidney to formthe renal plexus surrounding the left renal artery.

FIG. 5 illustrates an intravascular neuromodulation system configured inaccordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are anatomic views of the arterial vasculature andvenous vasculature, respectively, of a human.

FIG. 7 illustrates modulating renal nerves with a neuromodulation systemconfigured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a method of modulating renalnerves in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a method for improving an anxietydisorder risk score for a patient in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present technology.

FIG. 10A is a display table illustrating results from a study todetermine the effects of renal denervation on cortical axon density andmean norepinephrine concentration in animal subjects.

FIG. 10B is a series of graphs illustrating the response correlationbetween normalized cortical axon area vs. norepinephrine concentrationand norepinephrine concentration vs. extent of nerve ablation along theartery of the animal subjects of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11 illustrates an anxiety disorder risk score calculator fordetermining a patient's anxiety disorder risk score in accordance withan embodiment of the present technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present technology is directed to methods for treating anxietydisorders, managing symptoms or sequelae associated with anxietydisorders, reducing a severity of anxiety disorders, and/or for reducinga risk associated with developing an anxiety disorder in patients viarenal neuromodulation. In certain embodiments, the present technology isdirected to beneficially improving one or more measurable physiologicalparameters associated with anxiety disorders in a patient via renalneuromodulation. Other embodiments of the present technology includeperforming therapeutically-effective renal neuromodulation on a patientto reduce a severity of neurobiological symptoms relating to an anxietydisorder. Further embodiments of the present technology includeperforming therapeutically-effective renal neuromodulation on a patientto reduce the risk of occurrence of an anxiety disorder in at-riskpatients.

In yet another embodiment, a patient having had one or more previousepisodes or diagnosis of an anxiety disorder can be treated withtherapeutically-effective renal neuromodulation to reduce a riskassociated with reoccurrence of the anxiety disorder or development ofanother anxiety-related disorder. In a particular embodiment, forexample, the patient has experienced one or more severe or debilitatingepisodes relating to uncontrollable anxiety or fear that poses ameasurable risk for experiencing a reoccurrence of another severe and/ordebilitating episode, but the patient does not currently meet thestandard for an anxiety disorder diagnosis. In another particularembodiment, the patient has had a previous, but not current, diagnosisof an anxiety disorder that poses a measurable risk for developing thesame or a different anxiety disorder. In some embodiments, the patientexhibits one or more additional risk factors for the development of ananxiety disorder following a traumatic event, life change or stressfulsituation. Other embodiments of the present technology includeperforming therapeutically-effective renal neuromodulation on a patientprior to the patient experiencing a potentially life-debilitating orlife-threatening anxiety/panic/fear-related episode. For example, thepatient may also be diagnosed with depression and/or other psychoticdisorder, have had one or more suicide attempts during previousdepressive or debilitating episodes or, in another embodiment, thepatient may also be experiencing physical health issues related tochronic/uncontrollable stress.

The present technology is further directed to methods for reducing anincidence of cardiovascular disease or a cardiovascular event inpatients diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. In certain embodiments, forexample, the present technology is directed to improving one or moremeasurable physiological parameters associated with cardiovascularhealth in the patient experiencing anxiety-related symptoms or having ananxiety disorder diagnosis via renal neuromodulation. Other embodimentsof the present technology include performing therapeutically-effectiverenal neuromodulation on a patient diagnosed with an anxiety disorder toreduce a severity of a cardiovascular condition. Further embodiments ofthe present technology include performing therapeutically-effectiverenal neuromodulation on a patient diagnosed with an anxiety disorder toreduce the risk of occurrence of a cardiovascular event in such patientin later life.

As discussed in greater detail below, therapeutically-effective renalneuromodulation can include rendering neural fibers inert, inactive, orotherwise completely or partially reduced in function. This result canbe electrically-induced, thermally-induced, or induced by anothermechanism during a renal neuromodulation procedure, e.g., a procedureincluding percutaneous transluminal intravascular access.

Specific details of several embodiments of the technology are describedbelow with reference to FIGS. 1-11. The embodiments can include, forexample, modulating nerves proximate (e.g., at or near) a renal artery,a renal vein, and/or other suitable structures. Although many of theembodiments are described herein with respect to electrically-induced,thermally-induced, and chemically-induced approaches, other treatmentmodalities in addition to those described herein are within the scope ofthe present technology. Additionally, other embodiments of the presenttechnology can have different configurations, components, or proceduresthan those described herein. A person of ordinary skill in the art,therefore, will accordingly understand that the technology can haveother embodiments with additional elements and that the technology canhave other embodiments without several of the features shown anddescribed below with reference to FIGS. 1-11.

As used herein, the terms “distal” and “proximal” define a position ordirection with respect to the treating clinician or clinician's controldevice (e.g., a handle assembly). “Distal” or “distally” can refer to aposition distant from or in a direction away from the clinician orclinician's control device. “Proximal” and “proximally” can refer to aposition near or in a direction toward the clinician or clinician'scontrol device.

I. ANXIETY DISORDERS

Anxiety disorders are characterized by feelings of excessive oruncontrollable fear or anxiety that are severe and/or persistent enoughto interfere with function. Persons with chronic, unpredictable and/oruncontrollable anxiety-related symptoms report difficulties with work,school, home, relationships and/or social activities, and numerousstudies have also shown that persons with an anxiety disorder have morefunctional limitations than those without an anxiety disorder.

As used herein, “anxiety disorder” refers to any form of anxietydisorder or illness associated with feelings of anxiousness, worryand/or uncontrollable fear experienced by an individual and persistingfor several weeks or months (e.g., at least six months), and/or in whichone or more anxiety screening tools or instruments are used to give aprofessionally-accepted diagnosis.

There are several forms of anxiety disorders that are distinguished by aspectrum of symptom types and severity as well as the persistence of thedisorder in an affected individual. For a clinically-accepted diagnosisof an anxiety disorder, the American Psychiatric Association defines thecriteria in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM-5). While occasional anxiety (i.e., worry about a future event) andfear (i.e., reaction to current or perceived threat) are normal feelingsand can be beneficial in certain situations, an anxiety disorder can becharacterized with feelings of anxiousness, worry or fear that isexcessive and/or non-temporary (e.g., is inappropriate for the actualthreat or situation, age inappropriate, hinder ability to functionappropriately, etc.). These feelings can also cause physical symptoms,such as a fast heart rate, shakiness, muscle tension, etc. Several typesof anxiety disorders are clinically recognized with each disorderdifferentiated by the specific, underlying symptoms and/or triggers.Often, patients can be afflicted with more than one anxiety disorder. Inall forms of anxiety disorders, however, affected and/or susceptibleindividuals may develop ongoing (chronic), short-term (acute) orrecurring anxiety or panic-associated episodes with potential fordebilitating mental and physical health outcomes.

The most common forms of anxiety disorders include generalized anxietydisorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias. GAD is adisorder characterized by chronic, excessive worry (apprehensiveexpectation) and anxiety about events or activities, even when nothingis wrong or when the worry is disproportionate the actual risk. For adiagnosis of GAD, the worry is difficult to control and is accompaniedby at least three (in adults) of the following physical or cognitivesymptoms: restlessness, fatigue, impaired concentration or mind goingblank, irritability, increased muscle aches or soreness, and difficultysleeping (e.g., trouble falling asleep or staying asleep). Such symptomsmust be present for at least 6 months and be severe enough to causesignificant distress and/or interfere with the individual's daily life,work, and social functioning (DSM-5).

Social anxiety disorder is characterized by intense and uncontrollablefear of becoming embarrassed or humiliated in social situations whichcan often lead to significant avoidance of social situations. The fearmay be to a specific or particular social situation (e.g., publicspeaking), or more often, is experienced in most (or all) socialinteractions. Individuals may experience blushing, sweating anddifficult speaking in addition to more severe reactions like a panicattack. Attempts to avoid social situations can be particularlyproblematic and interfere with an individual's daily and professionallife, with severe cases leading to complete social isolation.

Specific phobias are characterized by the persistent and excessive fearof a specific object or situation (e.g., flying, heights, animals,seeing blood, etc.), and in which the fear is cued by the presence orthe anticipation of the object/situation resulting an immediate fearresponse or panic attack. For a clinical diagnosis of specific phobia,the fear is disproportionate the actual danger posed and must interferewith the individual's daily social and professional life.

Another anxiety-related disorder is panic disorder which ischaracterized by unexpected, brief attacks of intense terror andapprehension with symptoms such as heart palpitations, accelerated heartrate, trembling, shaking, confusion, dizziness, nausea, and/or shortnessof breath. Panic attacks can arise and peak quickly (e.g., less than 10minutes) and can last for several hours.

While sometimes unknown, attacks can be triggered, for example, bystress, irrational thoughts, general fear or fear of the known, andexercise, among others. A panic disorder is diagnosed in situationswhere attacks have chronic implications for the patient such as worryover the implications of attacks, fear over future attacks and when thepatient experiences significant behavioral changes related to theattacks (e.g., experience symptoms of the disorder during episodes aswell as between episodes).

Further anxiety-related disorders include separation anxiety disorder(e.g., age-inappropriate excessive fear or anxiety concerning separationfrom home or major attachment figures), agoraphobia (i.e., excessivefear related to being in or anticipating a situation or place whereescape is difficult or embarrassing and/or wherein help may beunavailable if a panic attack were to occur), selective mutism (i.e.,incapable of speech in specific situations or to specific people, evenwhen the person is normally capable of speech), repetitive skin picking,hoarding disorder (i.e., a disorder wherein parting with objects causessignificant distress such that the behaviors impede or prevent normaldaily life activities and function), body dysmorphic disorder (i.e.,excessive preoccupation with the belief that one's body or appearance isabnormal, deformed, or unattractive), trichotillomania (i.e.,characterized by pulling out one's own hair, most commonly from thescalp, eyebrows or eyelashes implicating the patient's distress orimpairment in social and/or professional functioning), and adjustmentdisorder (i.e., persistent depressed mood, anxiety and/orbehavioral-related symptoms following or in response to a significantstressor or life change such as divorce, starting college, moving,etc.).

Another anxiety-related disorder is post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD), which is characterized by the development of certaintrauma-related symptoms (e.g., intense feelings of fear, helplessness,or horror) following exposure to a traumatic event and/orlife-threatening event. Yet another anxiety-related disorder isobsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which is characterized byobsessive, intrusive thoughts (e.g., constantly worrying about stayingclean, or about one's body size) that trigger related, compulsivebehaviors (e.g., repeated hand-washing, or excessive exercise). Suchcompulsive behaviors are performed to alleviate the anxiety associatedwith the obsessive thoughts, however these types of disorders canrestrict participation in everyday life (e.g., difficult to leave home)and/or generate significant distress that impairs normal social andprofessional functioning.

Substance or medication induced anxiety disorders include one or morevariations of anxiety-related disorders (e.g., generalized anxiety,panic attacks or phobic reactions) that are specifically caused by theeffects of a medication or psychoactive substance (e.g., during druguse, after cessation or during withdrawal of use). For example, drug(e.g., prescription pain killers, illicit drugs, etc.) or alcohol abuseand/or withdrawal from such substances is characterized by acuteanxiety, and chronic substance abuse can increase risk for developing ananxiety disorder.

Additional causes of anxiety disorders or anxiety disorder-like symptomsmay accompany or be due to diseases or illnesses such as, for example,thyroid disorders, cardiovascular disease, stroke, metabolic disorders(e.g., diabetes), menopause, autoimmune disorders, sleep disorders,gastrointestinal diseases (e.g., celiac disease, gluten sensitivity,inflammatory bowel disease), blood diseases, and brain degenerativediseases (e.g., Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, dementia,Huntington's disease).

The etiology and symptoms associated with an anxiety disorder aredistinguishable from occasional anxiety associated with appropriatesituations (e.g., problem with work, before taking an exam, when makingan important decision, etc.), during temporary periods ofdisappointments and/or demoralization (e.g., financial difficulties orlosses, natural disaster, illness, relationship problems) and losses(e.g., death of a loved one). The negative and/or anxious feelingsassociated with demoralization and grief tend to occur in waves when theindividual is reminded of the triggering event, and tend to resolve whencircumstances improve for the individual. While feelings of worry canlast for days, weeks or even months, prolonged loss of function are notlikely.

As discussed above, diagnosis of an anxiety disorder is based on theidentification of the clinical criteria (e.g., symptoms and signs) asset forth in DSM-5. Clinicians and other mental health practitionerstypically use conventionally accepted diagnostic test methods, such asscreening tools (e.g., for use during diagnostic interviews, patienthealth questionnaires, etc.) for identifying anxiety disorder risk,severity and diagnosis. These screening tools are typically focused oncore symptoms as set forth in DSM-5, but some screening tools providefurther diagnostic capability to determine symptom severity, variousspecifiers, and/or other risk factors. For example, severity istypically determined by the degree of disability (e.g., cognitive,physical, social, occupational, etc.) or pain experienced by the patientas well as the duration of the symptoms. These screening tools are alsodesigned to differentiate anxiety disorders from other mental disorders(e.g., depressive disorders).

For example, patients can be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and/or ameasure of anxiety disorder severity can be determined using theGeneralized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7), the Beck Anxiety Inventory(BAI), the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, the Taylor Manifest AnxietyScale, or a Visual Analogue Scale for Anxiety Severity (VAS). Otherquestionnaires combine anxiety and depression measurement, such as theHamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-ADS), and thePatient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). Someexamples of specific anxiety questionnaires include the Liebowitz Socialanxiety Scale (LSAS), the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS), theSocial Phobia Inventory (SPIN), the Social Phobia Scale (SPS) and theSocial Anxiety Questionnaire (SAQ-A30). As disclosed herein, suchscreening tools can be used to provide a risk score for predicting apatient's anxiety status with respect to disorder diagnosis, anxietydisorder severity and/or identifying at-risk populations. Some screeninginstruments, such as the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale or the PatientHealth Questionnaire (PHQ-ADS), look at multiple risk and symptomfactors beyond the conventional screening tools to provide a patient'sclinical state that includes a general anxiety factor as well asweighted symptom profiles for cognitive, somatic and affectivesub-factors that can be taken into account when proposing treatmentsand/or measuring improvements in the patient following treatment(Kroenke, K., et al., Psychosom Med., 2016, 78(6): 716-727).

Certain risk factors have been identified that may make an individualmore likely (e.g., increase a risk) to develop an anxiety disorderduring their lifetime. For example, some identified risk factors forincreasing a likelihood of developing an anxiety disorder include havinga family history and/or personal history of an anxiety disorder,depression or other mental illness, experiencing adverse life events(e.g., illness, abuse, loss of a loved one, unemployment, psychologicaltrauma, etc.), having experienced prior traumatic events, being achildhood survivor of abuse, experiencing trauma during childhood,experiencing parental loss or separation, having a history of substanceabuse, having a history of eating disorder, experiencing a difficultrelationship, being in a stressful situation, experiencing a major lifechange, experiencing an extended period of stress (e.g., chronicstress), low level of education, unmarried, smoker, physically inactiveand female gender among others (World Health Organization; Kaye, W. H.,et al., Am J Psychiatry, 2004, 161: 2215-2221) Raison, C. L. and Miller,A. H., Cerebrum, 2013, August: 1-16; Anda, R. et al., Epidemiology,1993, 4: 285-294). Other factors include certain personality traits. Forexample, shyness and behavioral inhibition in childhood can increase therisk of developing an anxiety disorder later in life. The Five FactorModel of Personality consists of five broad trait domains includeNeuroticism, Extraversion, Openness to Experience, Agreeableness, andConscientiousness. Individuals that score higher on trait Neuroticism orlow on Extraversion have been shown to be at higher risk for thedevelopment of an anxiety disorder (Kaplan S. C., et al., Cogn BehavTher, 2015, 44(3): 212-222).

Patients presenting with an anxiety disorder may also experience otheradverse mental and physical diseases and disorders. For example, anxietydisorders have high comorbidity with mental disorders such as majordepressive disorder, substance and alcohol abuse, and suicidaltendencies (Hirschfeld, R. M. A, J Clin Psychiatry, 2001, 3: 244-254;Michopoulos, V., et al., Exp Neurol, 2016, 284: 220-229). Further,cardiovascular disease, stroke, hypertension, obesity (e.g., high bodymass index (BMI)), cancer, Parkinson's disease, and metabolic disorders,such as type 2 diabetes, among others are also highly comorbid withanxiety disorders (Michopoulos, V., et al., Exp Neurol, 2016, 284:220-229; Dhar, A. K. and Barton, D. A., Front. Psychiatry, 2016, 7:33;National Institute of Mental Health). Without being bound by theory, itis possible that anxiety disorders shares underlying neuroendocrine,metabolic and other psychophysiological patterns with these otherdisorders that either increase risk for the development of an anxietydisorder or reduce treatment success and/or increase risk for thedevelopment of these additional conditions.

A. Biophysical Characteristics of Individuals with Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders belong to a mood disorder category encompassingcomplex and multifactorial disorders that are thought to be caused bymany contributing factors. The underlying neurobiological and metabolicmechanisms or etiology of anxiety disorders are uncertain; however,evidence suggests that psychological, genomic and other biological riskfactors are present in patients identified with anxiety disorders.Moreover, neurobiological heterogeneity in monoaminergic transmittersystems, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, metabolichormonal pathways, inflammatory mechanisms, and psychophysiologicalreactive and neural circuits have been demonstrated between individualsdiagnosed with anxiety disorders and healthy individuals (Spijker, A. T.and van Rossum, E. F. C., Neuroendocrinology, 2012, 95:179-186; Liu, F.,et al., Int J Physiol Pathophysiol Pharmacol, 2012, 4: 28-35; Jedema, H.P. and Grace, A. A., J Neurosci, 2004, 24:9703-9713;Michopoulos, V., etal., Biol Psychiatry, 2015, 78(5): 344-353). In addition to differencesbetween individuals diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and healthyindividuals, those who do meet the criteria for a diagnosis of ananxiety disorder can vary in the severity of their symptoms as well asthe type of symptoms they experience.

Anxiety disorders are fear regulation disorders in which learned fear orperceived fear becomes generalized to situations that would normally besafe and/or are not occurring, and can result in hyperarousal inunnecessary situations (Mahan, A. L. and Ressler, K. J., TrendsNeurosci, 2012, 35: 24-35). Fear conditioning, stress responses, andrelated emotional and cognitive learning and memory are regulated byportions of the limbic system, which are key structures within the brainthat are altered in patients diagnosed with anxiety disorders.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the human brain illustrating theneural structures of the limbic system involved in anxiety disorders.The amygdala, the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex havedemonstrable importance for conditioned fear and associative emotionallearning that is dysregulated in anxiety disorders resulting inincreased stress sensitivity, generalized fear responses and impairedfear extinction (i.e., wherein a conditioned stimulus is repeatedlypresented in the absence of the unconditioned stimulus such that theconditioned fear response is diminished). The amygdala is important forhealthy conditioned fear (e.g., a fear response elicited by aconditioned stimulus/cue) and associative emotional learning (e.g.,memory of emotional events). Compared to healthy individuals, anxietydisorder patients show significant amygdala dysfunction, such asabnormal neural engagement and greater activation in response totrauma-related stimuli or reminders (Etkins, A., et al., Arch GenPsychiatry, 2009, 66(12): 1361-1372); Pitman, R. K., et al., Nat RevNeurosci., 2012, 13: 769-787; Mahan, A. L. and Ressler, K. J., TrendsNeurosci, 2012, 35: 24-35).

Referring to FIG. 1, the amygdala receives neural projections from boththe hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex. The hippocampus is involvedin encoding episodic memories and environmental cues as well asmediating learned responses to such contextual cues. The prefrontalcortex is thought to involve reactivation of past emotional associationsas well as executive functions/decision making. Patients with GAD havebeen shown to have less distinct connection between the amygdala, whichcontrols species-specific fear responses, and the hypothalamus andcerebellum areas, while having greater connectivity with the prefrontalcortex that underlies executive functions. This may suggest that theprefrontal cortex may compensate for the dysfunctional amygdalaprocessing of anxiety in such patients (Id.). In other anxietydisorders, functional neuroimaging studies have reported reducedactivation of both the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex inpatients, when compared to healthy subjects, and structural magneticresonance imaging (sMRI) has demonstrated reduced hippocampal andventromedial prefrontal cortex volumes which is similar to atrophy seenin subjects with chronic stress (Pitman, R. K., et al., Nat RevNeurosci., 2012, 13: 769-787; Mahan, A. L. and Ressler, K. J., TrendsNeurosci, 2012, 35: 24-35). Without being bound by theory, theprefrontal cortex may fail to inhibit the amygdala in some anxietydisorder patients, thereby disposing the patient toward increased fearresponses, reduced fear extinction of traumatic memories orfear-triggering cues, impaired emotional responses and dysfunctionalcognitive abilities (Id.). Additional regions of the brain that play arole in fear conditioning and/or demonstrate altered structure and/orregulation in anxiety and fear responses include the parahippocampalgyms, orbitofrontal cortex, sensorimotor cortex, thalamus, anteriorcingulate cortex, and the insular cortex (not shown) (Id.).

Psychological stress, including chronic stress, can have deleteriouseffects on the brain's neural circuits as well as whole-bodyphysiological states, and is a crucial factor underlying mood disorders,with variation in stress susceptibility, responsivity and resilienceproviding variances in disorder presentation and severity (Halaris, A.,Curr Topics Behav Neurosci, 2017, 31:45-70). The neuro-hormonal systemsthat play a critical role in stress responses and homeostasis includethe HPA axis and noradrenergic systems. The noradrenergic systemincludes a dense network of axons that extend from the locus coeruleusin the brain stem throughout the brain including the hippocampus,amygdala, thalamus and hypothalamus, as well as projections that extenddown the brain stem to synapse with sympathetic nerve fibers in thethoracic region.

Correlative links have been implicated between a variety of mood andcognitive disorders and chronic or prolonged hyperactivity of thesympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system. As shown in FIG. 2,the SNS is a branch of the autonomic nervous system along with theenteric nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system. The SNS isprimarily an involuntary bodily control system typically associated withstress responses. It is always active at a basal level (calledsympathetic tone) and becomes more active during times of stress. Fibersof the SNS extend through tissue in almost every organ system of thehuman body. For example, some fibers extend from the brain, intertwinealong the aorta, and branch out to various organs. As groups of fibersapproach specific organs, fibers particular to the organs can separatefrom the groups. The SNS regulates the function of virtually all humanorgan systems by localized release of catecholamines (e.g.,norepinephrine) from sympathetic nerve terminals innervating thesetissue and organ systems, spillover of norepinephrine from vascularneuro-muscular junctions (the primary source of norepinephrine inplasma), and by systemic circulation of catecholamines (e.g.,epinephrine, norepinephrine) released from the adrenal gland in responseto acute, transient stress or threats. Long-term variations in basallevels, increases in basal levels due to aging, as well as spikes ofcirculating catecholamines from hyperactivity of the SNS responding tolife circumstances can also exert more enduring regulatory effects ongene expression by altering constitutive gene expression profiles in awide variety of tissues and organ systems.

Once released, norepinephrine binds adrenergic receptors on peripheraltissues. In addition, activation (e.g., norepinephrine release) ofnoradrenergic nuclei in the central nervous system (CNS) can result fromtransmitted impulses from activated afferent renal sympathetic neurons.Binding to adrenergic receptors either in the periphery or in the CNScauses a neuronal and hormonal response. The physiologic manifestationsinclude pupil dilation, increased heart rate, occasional vomiting, andincreased blood pressure. Increased sweating is also seen due to bindingof cholinergic receptors of the sweat glands. It is known that long-termSNS hyperactivity has been identified as a major contributor to thecomplex pathophysiology of hypertension, states of volume overload (suchas heart failure), and progressive renal disease, both experimentallyand in humans. Moreover, correlative links between activation of the SNSand systemic inflammation, arterial stiffness, atherosclerosis,metabolic disorders, insulin resistance, and other cardiovascularconditions have been established. As mentioned above, many of theseconditions are comorbid with anxiety disorders.

Increased levels of catecholamine (e.g., norepinephrine) spillover andsecretion are associated with anxiety disorders. For example, higherlevels of circulating catecholamines, such as norepinephrine (in theperiphery and central nervous systems), have been reported in anxietydisorders including PTSD; and an activated noradrenergic system isimplicated in psychological stress, which is one of the primary riskfactors for anxiety disorder development (Dhar, A. K. and Barton, D. A.,Front. Psychiatry, 2016, 7:33; Miller, A. H., et al., Biol Psychiatry,2009, 65: 732-741). Without being bound by theory, this suggests thatincreased SNS activity is present in anxiety disorder patients.

Other indicators of increased SNS tone in patients with anxietydisorders include elevations in heart rate, blood pressure, skinconductance, and platelet activation as well as a decrease in heart ratevariability (e.g., a measure of beat-to-beat fluctuations in heart rate)(Dhar, A. K. and Barton, D. A., Front. Psychiatry, 2016, 7:33; Alvares,G. A., et al., J Psychiatry Neurosci, 2016, 41: 89-104; Sherin, J. E.,et al., Dialogues Clin Neurosci, 2011, 13: 263-278; Michopoulos, V., etal., Exp Neurol, 2016, 284: 220-229). In contrast, healthy individualsthat do not meet the criteria for an anxiety disorder may exhibitsignificantly lower plasma catecholamine levels and may not displayother indicators of elevated SNS activity.

Without being bound by theory, increased levels of norepinephrine canaccount for many aspects of anxiety disorder-associated symptoms,including increased fear-based emotions, sleep disturbances (e.g.,insomnia), impaired concentration, irritability, and self-isolation.Hyperactive SNS activity in patients with anxiety disorders would alsopresent an on-going challenge to treatment success as levels ofnorepinephrine increase or spike in response to stressors and/orworsening psychological stress in these individuals (Miller, A. H., etal., Biol Psychiatry, 2009, 65: 732-741; Dhar, A. K. and Barton, D. A.,Front. Psychiatry, 2016, 7:33; Alvares, G. A., et al., J PsychiatryNeurosci, 2016, 41: 89-104).

Anxiety and other mood disorders have also been linked to elevatednorepinephrine release in the brain and further central sympatheticoutflow to the periphery via the brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS)(Liu, F., et al., Int J Physiol Pathophysiol Pharmacol, 2012, 4: 28-35).FIG. 3 is a conceptual illustration of the peripheral and brainrenin-angiotensin-systems in the human body. Specifically, angiotensinII, which is widely expressed in the brain and plays roles in bloodpressure regulation, functions via its receptor, ATTR, to increase bloodpressure and activate the SNS (Tsuda, K., Int J Hypertens, 2012, ArticleID 474870, 1-11; Liu, F., et al., Int J Physiol Pathophysiol Pharmacol,2012, 4: 28-35). However, continuous activation of brain RAS viapolymorphisms in the angiotensin I-converting-enzyme (ACE) gene or theATiR gene (which are highly associated with anxiety and mood disorders),for example, lead to oxidative stress in the brain, SNS hyperactivity,and inhibition of baroreflex, and is further associated with impairedcognitive function and heightened emotional stress responses (Liu, F.,et al., Int J Physiol Pathophysiol Pharmacol, 2012, 4: 28-35). Renalsympathetic activity, which can be activated by spillover of centralsympathetic outflow via renal efferent nerve fibers, causes the kidneysto increase peripheral renin production, which ultimately leads toincreased angiotensin II production via the peripheral RAS (Oparil, S.and Schmieder, R. E., Circ Res, 2015, 116:1074-1095). Renin, which is anangiotensinogenase, is secreted by the afferent arterioles of the kidneyfrom specialized cells of the juxtaglomerular apparatus, and in responseto SNS activity as well as decreases in arterial blood pressure orsodium levels (Id.). Renin primarily activates other components of theperipheral RAS which ultimately results in an increase in peripheralangiotensin II, which is responsible for several systemic alterationsincluding increasing sympathetic activity, increases in blood pressureand increases in aldosterone production and release from the adrenalcortex (Id.).

Peripheral circulating angiotensin II, via activation of peripheral RAS,cannot pass the blood-brain barrier (BBB); however it is linked toactivation of brain RAS via angiotensin II receptors oncircumventricular organs of the brain (Liu, F., et al., Int J PhysiolPathophysiol Pharmacol, 2012, 4: 28-35). Without being bound by theory,elevated renin production via renal sympathetic activity is correlatedwith activation of brain RAS which further promotes sympatheticactivity. These central and peripheral neural regulation components areconsiderably stimulated in anxiety and mood disorders, which ischaracterized by heightened sympathetic tone, and likely contributes toother disease states, such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease,among others.

Individuals with anxiety disorders also exhibit altered HPA axisfunction as evidenced by elevated levels of corticotropin-releasinghormone (CRH), which initiates stimulation of the HPA axis in responseto stress (e.g., psychological stress, etc.) (Bissette, G., et al.,Neuropsychopharmacology, 2003, 28: 1328-1335). Hyperactivity of the HPAaxis as well as higher circulating cortisol (i.e., glucocorticoid)levels compared to healthy controls (e.g., patients with no history ofanxiety or mood disorders) also exemplify HPA axis dysfunction inremitted as well as currently diagnosed patients (Spijker, A. T. and vanRossum, E. F. C., Neuroendocrinology, 2012, 95:179-186). Decreasedresponsiveness to glucocorticoids (e.g., glucocorticoid resistance) andsubsequent HPA axis dysfunction is a hallmark of major depression(Miller, A. H., et al., Biol Psychiatry, 2009, 65: 732-741), and mayalso be in related disorders (e.g., anxiety disorders). Alterations toHPA axis function, both reflecting a current mood state as well as longlasting changes to brain function, may be mediated, in part, byalterations in the glucocorticoid receptor. In particular, it has beendemonstrated that patients with depression and anxiety exhibit reducedglucocorticoid sensitivity, preferential expression of a dominatenegative form (GR-β) of the glucocorticoid receptor, and increasedlevels of FKBP5, which is a co-chaperone of the glucocorticoid receptorthat inhibits ligand binding and pathway activation (Menke, A., et al.,Genes, Brain and Behav, 2013, 12: 289-296; Spijker, A. T. and vanRossum, E. F. C., Neuroendocrinology, 2012, 95:179-186; Miller, A. H.,et al., Biol Psychiatry, 2009, 65: 732-741). An individual's level ofchronic exposure to stress, and thereby cortisol exposure, in brainregions associated with emotion and cognition (e.g., the limbic system),are believed to be important in the development or prediction of futurerisk of an anxiety disorder in the individual, and this additional majorstress response system may determine longer-term patterns of stressresponses in anxiety disorder patients (Spijker, A. T. and van Rossum,E. F. C., Neuroendocrinology, 2012, 95:179-186).

CRH and norepinephrine are known to interact in regions of the braininvolved in stress responses to increase fear conditioning, interfere inemotional response, cognition and encoding of emotional memories(Jedema, H. P. and Grace, A. A., J Neurosci, 2004, 24:9703-9713).Further reinforcing a prolonged psychological stress response and thepathophysiology of anxiety disorders, CRH is elevated in the locuscoeruleus of anxiety disorder patients and has been shown to activateneurons in the locus coeruleus resulting in increased norepinephrinelevels throughout the CNS (Jedema, H. P. and Grace, A. A., J Neurosci,2004, 24:9703-9713; Bissette, G., et al., Neuropsychopharmacology, 2003,28: 1328-1335).

Dopamine is another catecholamine that exhibits increased levels ofurinary excretion (along with levels of its metabolite) in patients withsome anxiety disorders. The reward pathway in the brain (i.e., themesolimbic dopaminergic pathway) has been implicated in fearconditioning and some evidence suggests that exposure to environmentalstressors releases mesolimbic dopamine, which could further modulate HPAaxis responses (Sherin, J. E., et al., Dialogues Clin Neurosci, 2011,13: 263-278).

Neuropeptide Y (NPY), a 36-amino-acid peptide transmitter that isexpressed in brain regions that regulate stress and emotional behaviors,has shown to buffer stress responses and promote increased ability tocope with emotional trauma (Enman, N. M., et al., Neurobiol Stress,2015, 1: 33-43; Sah, R. and Geracioti, T. D., Mol Psychiatry, 2013,18:646-655). In particular, central nervous system NPY concentrationlevels may normally control or suppress pro-stress transmitters such asCRH and norepinephrine in the brain (Id.). However, both central andperipheral nervous system NPY concentrations are significantly lower inindividuals with anxiety disorders when compared to healthy controls(Id.), possibly attenuating the individuals' resilience and copingability in response to psychological stress. Without being bound bytheory, and since NPY functions to inhibit CRH and norepinephrinepromotion of stress and fear responses, as well as reduces the releaseof norepinephrine from sympathetic neurons, decreased NPY activity maycontribute to SNS hyperactivity in patients with anxiety disorders(Enman, N. M., et al., Neurobiol Stress, 2015, 1: 33-43).

An additional physiological characteristic associated with an anxietydisorder includes a pro-inflammatory state, including chronicinflammation (Michopoulos, V., et al., Exp Neurol, 2016, 284: 220-229;Michopoulos, V., et al., Biol Psychiatry, 2015, 78(5): 344-353). Forexample, elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines, such asinterleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, IL-2, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α) as well as other inflammatory markers, such as C-reactiveprotein (CRP), are elevated in individuals with an anxiety disorder, andperipheral levels of these inflammatory markers correlate positivelywith anxiety disorder symptomology (e.g., fatigue, cognitivedysfunction, impaired sleep) (Id.). Moreover, higher levels ofinflammatory biomarkers are associated with exacerbated anxiety disordersymptoms as well as an increased risk in the development of an anxietydisorder (Michopoulos, V., et al., Exp Neurol, 2016, 284: 220-229).These individuals may also show increased monocyte sensitivity toglucocorticoids which results in further elevation of inflammatorycytokine production (Id.). Without being bound by theory,neuroinflammation is believed to interfere with memory consolidation aswell as with the acquisition and extinction of fear, which are hallmarkcharacteristics of anxiety disorders.

Anxiety disorders are also associated with increased activation of thetranscriptional factor, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), which is activated byexposure to psychosocial stress and sympathetic nervous system outflowpathways, and is responsible for cytokine production (Miller, A. H., etal., Biol Psychiatry, 2009, 65: 732-741; Michopoulos, V., et al., BiolPsychiatry, 2015, 78(5): 344-353). Cytokine-induced increases in neuralactivity in brain regions, such as the anterior cingulated cortex andthe basal ganglia, have been associated the development of mood andanxiety symptoms, and are associated with alterations in brainneurotransmitter metabolism (e.g., serotonin, norepinephrine anddopamine), neuroendocrine function and neural plasticity (Miller, A. H.,et al., Biol Psychiatry, 2009, 65: 732-741). For example,cytokine-induced immune responses have shown to increase the number ofreuptake pumps, thereby decreasing neurotransmitter availability, andshunting tryptophan away from the production of serotonin in the brain(Raison, C. L. and Miller, A. H., Cerebrum, 2013). Without being boundby theory, increased SNS activity coupled with reduced sensitivity tothe anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticoids (e.g., due toglucocorticoid resistance) as a result of chronic psychological stress,both contribute to chronic activation of inflammatory responses.

Currently prescribed treatment plans for patients diagnosed with anxietydisorders typically consist of pharmaceutical drugs and/orpsychotherapy. Conventional drug therapies are administered to addressparticular symptoms associated with anxiety disorders in attempts tolessen those particular symptoms. For example, anti-anxiety medication(e.g., benzodiazepines, buspirone, β-blocker, etc.), antidepressants(e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that raise thelevel of serotonin in the brain, tricyclic antidepressants, monoamineoxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), etc.), anti-psychotic drugs,anti-hypertensive drugs, mood stabilizers, etc., may provide mild tomoderate and/or temporary relief from anxiety-related symptoms, sleepdisturbances, cognitive and/or memory difficulties, etc. However, mostpatients do not get adequate treatment (e.g., up to 70% of patients) andfor many patients (e.g., up to 40%), antidepressants and/or anti-anxietymedications are ineffective. Moreover, drug adherence over several yearsor decades in a manner than maintains mood, anxiety disorder-relatedsymptoms, sleep quality, blood pressure, etc., remains a challenge formost patients. For many patients, improvements may not be apparent untilafter up to 4 or more weeks of drug treatment, causing delays inascertaining whether the prescribed drug or drug combination is suitablefor the particular patient. Furthermore, some medications do not work orstop working effectively over time. Additional drawbacks to use of drugsfor treating a patient with an anxiety disorder include thepossibilities of adverse reactions associated with these medications(e.g., heart failure, hypotension, bradycardia, severe depressiveepisodes, suicide ideation, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, weight gain orunhealthy weight loss, death, etc.), as well as other undesirableside-effects, on a patient-by-patient basis. Some studies suggest thatantidepressant drugs further reduce heart rate variability in patientswhich can exacerbate disorder severity or predispose patients to futureanxiety-related attacks (Halaris, A., Curr Topics Behav Neurosci, 2017,31:45-70).

Additionally, pharmaceutical intervention for other contributors andrisk factors associated with anxiety disorders further complicates drugadministration and management of contraindications betweenanti-inflammatory medications, anti-hypertensive drugs, anti-anxietydrugs, antidepressant drugs, mood stabilizers among others administeredto support patients with anxiety disorders, and adherence over yearsremains a challenge. Various psychotherapy treatments can be prescribedin combination with a medication plan or as a stand-alone treatment.While psychotherapy (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy, interpersonaltherapy, etc.) may provide some patients with skills in new ways ofthinking and behaving, it may not be effective for more severe forms ofanxiety disorders such as GAD, OCD, and social anxiety disorder, amongothers. Some patients with severe or medication adverse and/or resistantdisorders may be treated with several sessions of electroconvulsivetherapy, phototherapy, deep brain stimulation and others with mixedresults. Various aspects of the present technology address SNS effectson risk factors associated with anxiety disorders while overcoming thesechallenges.

B. Risk Factors Associated with Development of Anxiety Disorders and/orRelated Conditions

As discussed above, anxiety disorders are psychophysiological disordersencompassing dysregulation of complex neuro- and hormonal-biochemicalpathways that are known to be caused by many contributing factors. Whilemany biomarkers distinguishing patients with an anxiety disorder andhealthy individuals demonstrate heterogeneity following pathogenesis inan individual, certain earlier-identifiable conditions as well asgenetic and/or biophysical variances in a patient are recognized asbeing either contributory factors and/or predictors of a likelihood thata patient will develop an anxiety disorder or, in the case of remittedpatients, a likelihood that the patient will redevelop the same anxietydisorder or develop a different anxiety disorder. In particular, manyunderlying conditions, genetic variances and other abnormalitiesdetectable in individuals either prior to the development of an anxietydisorder or during remittance, may affect the likelihood of theindividual subsequently developing one or more anxiety disorders. Suchunderlying conditions and genetic/biophysical variances constituteanxiety disorder predictors or risk factors.

As discussed above, some identified risk factors for increasing alikelihood of developing an anxiety disorder include certain demographicvariables such as, for example, female gender, being unmarried (e.g.,single, divorced or widowed), low access to economic resources, lowlevel of education, smoker, being physically inactive, having little orno social support, among others (World Health Organization; Liu, F., etal., Int J Physiol Pathophysiol Pharmacol, 2012, 4: 28-35; Sherin, J.E., et al., Dialogues Clin Neurosci, 2011, 13: 263-278). Additionally,it has been shown that if the patient has a history of mental illness orsubstance abuse, has a family history of anxiety disorders, depressionor other mental illness, has experienced one or more adverse life events(e.g., illness, abuse, loss of a loved one, unemployment, psychologicaltrauma, etc.), has or is experiencing a difficult relationship, hasexperienced prior traumatic events, has had an adverse childhoodexperience, is currently in a stressful situation, has or isexperiencing a major life change, or has or is experiencing an extendedperiod of stress (e.g., chronic stress), among others, the patient hasan increased likelihood of developing an anxiety disorder (Id.).

Without being bound by theory, increased SNS activity in the patient asa result of psychological and/or other forms of chronic stress canpredispose the individual to developing an anxiety disorder. Forexample, chronic stress has been shown to alter neural circuits andstructures in the brain (e.g., hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, etc.)(Pitman, R. K., et al., Nat Rev Neurosci., 2012, 13: 769-787) that mayincrease the individual's sensitivity to contextual threat. Suchsensitization of the SNS may be responsible for higher heart ratesduring a subsequent exposure to a trigger, stressful situation or atraumatic event, which may be a predictive risk for future developmentof an anxiety disorder. Moreover, lower heart rate variabilitycharacterizes anxiety disorders and may also be predictive of anxietydisorder development (Jangpangi, D., et al., J Clin Diagn Res, 2016,10:4-6). In certain embodiments, prior exposure to trauma (e.g.,childhood abuse, prior sexual abuse, prior combat experience, etc.) mayincrease the individual's sensitization of the SNS, thereby lowering thethreshold barriers for the development of an anxiety disorder.

While there is evidence for the presence of SNS hyperactivity inpatients presenting with an anxiety disorder, there is further evidencethat a strong adrenergic response to a traumatic event or other adverselife circumstance may mediate or in part contribute to the developmentof an anxiety disorder in certain individuals. Some biochemicalinducements of the increase in norepinephrine release in response to SNSactivation include genetic and/or other inhibition paths that lower NPYlevels, as well as lower numbers or affinity of a2-adrenergic receptors(Pitman, R. K., et al., Nat Rev Neurosci., 2012, 13: 769-787; Sherin, J.E., et al., Dialogues Clin Neurosci, 2011, 13: 263-278). Additionally,there is evidence that a pro-inflammatory state (e.g., as indicated byincreased levels of inflammatory cytokines) may increase risk orvulnerability for development of an anxiety disorder particularly whenpatients present with chronic stress. For example, it has been shownthat increased levels of CRP (e.g., greater than about 3 mg/L; greaterthan about 5 mg/L; etc.) were predictive of psychological distress anddepression, and elevated levels of CRP can present as an additional riskfactor that can establish a predictive risk for the development of ananxiety disorder (Michopoulos, V., et al., Exp Neurol, 2016, 284:220-229; Miller, A. H., et al., Biol Psychiatry, 2009, 65: 732-741).

Correlative links between activation of the SNS and high blood pressure,coronary heart disease, stroke, systemic inflammation, arterialstiffness, endothelium dysfunction, atherosclerosis, metabolicdisorders, insulin resistance, end organ damage, obesity (e.g., highbody mass index (BMI)), and other cardiovascular conditions have alsobeen established. As discussed above, these conditions/diseases havefurther been shown to be correlative with an incidence of anxietydisorders (Michopoulos, V., et al., Exp Neurol, 2016, 284: 220-229;Dhar, A. K. and Barton, D. A., Front. Psychiatry, 2016, 7:33; NationalInstitute of Mental Health). As such, it is posited that theseconditions/diseases, which are indicative of chronic activation of SNS,present as risk factors that can establish a predictive risk for thedevelopment of an anxiety disorder. In fact, anxiety disorders are moreprevalent in people who have suffered a major cardiac event, with up to20-30% of these patients developing acute anxiety with half of thesegoing on to develop an anxiety disorder (Celano, C. M., et al., CurrPsychiatry Rep., 2016, 18(11); 101). Strokes (e.g., acute ischemicstroke, lacunar stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), hemorrhagicstroke, etc.) are also highly associated with the development of ananxiety disorder with 20-30% of stroke patients developing an anxietydisorder (e.g., GAD), and post-stroke anxiety disorders are associatedwith increased morbidity and mortality in such patients (Chun, H. Y, etal., Stroke, 2018, 49: 556-564).

Additionally, with respect to blood pressure regulation, the nocturnalblood pressure of healthy individuals drops or “dips” more than 10% ofthe average daytime blood pressure value, which is followed by anincrease in blood pressure with arousal from sleep, known as the morningsurge in blood pressure (MSBP). In contrast, “elevated,” i.e. limiteddrops in blood pressure during the nighttime (e.g., nighttime bloodpressure reduction that is less than 10% of average daytime bloodpressure) as well as excessive surge in MSBP (e.g., early morninghours), is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular eventsand strokes even in normotensive patients (FitzGerald, L., et al., J HumHypertens, 2012, 26: 228-235). Anxiety disorders correlate with higherMSBP and the increase in MSBP is proportional to the severity of theanxiety-related symptoms and is irrespective of “dipping” status (Id.).Men and older populations of patients further demonstrate “non-dipping”nocturnal blood pressure which is further associated with moreanxiety-related symptoms and poorer overall sleep quality as well asincreased risk in cardiovascular events (Id.). Psychological riskfactors, such as depression and anxiety, are reported to influencecardiovascular events and to impact hypertension, and excessive MSBPand/or “non-dipping” nocturnal blood pressure may be risk factors forthe development and/or the severity for hypertension, cardiovasculardisease and stroke. Moreover, excessive MSBP and/or “non-dipping”nocturnal blood pressure may be risk factors for the development orprogression of anxiety disorders in such patients.

In addition to chronic and/or acute SNS hyperactivity, increasedglucocorticoid (e.g., cortisol) levels, and HPA axis dysfunction, e.g.,as a measurement of basal cortisol levels in response to awakening as anindicator for endogenous stress response, provide additional riskfactors that can be considered in establishing a predictive riskassessment for the development of an anxiety disorder in a patient(Spijker, A. T. and van Rossum, E. F. C., Neuroendocrinology, 2012,95:179-186). For example, an abnormally high measurement of cortisolawakening rise (CAR), which reflects the natural response to awakeningwith a normal/natural increase in cortisol levels, is not onlycharacteristic of patients with an anxiety disorder, but is predictivefor developing an anxiety disorder, and thereby provides an additionalrisk factor of subsequent anxiety disorder development (Id.). Inaddition, patients without a history of an anxiety disorder but withparents diagnosed with depression or an anxiety disorder, havedemonstrated equally high CAR levels as those patients with a currentanxiety disorder diagnosis (Vreeburg, S. A., et al., British J Psych,2010, 197:180-185). Without being bound by theory, it is thought thathigh levels of cortisol resulting in glucocorticoid resistance andincreased HPA axis activity fails to inhibit CRH/norepinephrineresponses to stress and further exacerbates cognitive dysfunction (e.g.,memory deficits) and anxiety-related symptoms in these individuals(Id.).

In addition to predisposition factors associated with activation of theSNS and other demographic risk factors, certain genetic variations amongindividuals have also been shown to be predictive risk factors for thedevelopment of anxiety disorders. Some of these genetic risk factors arecommon to both major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders. Forexample, genes that affect risk for development of an anxiety disordermay also influence risk for other psychiatric disorders and vice versa.As with other mental disorders, influences on anxiety-related disordersare likely polygenic; at least 17 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)in 15 different genomic regions have been associated with depression andrelated psychiatric disorders in at least one published study (Hyde, C.L., et al., Nature Genet, 2016, 48: 1031-1036). These and other geneticvariants demonstrated to influence risk for anxiety and other mooddisorders include genes involved in HPA axis regulation, the locuscoeruleus/noradrenergic system, dopaminergic and serotonergic systems(e.g., regulation of synapses, monoamine metabolism, etc.) and otherneurodevelopment programs (Hyde, C. L., et al., Nature Genet, 2016, 48:1031-1036; Converge Consortium, Nature, 2015, 523: 588-591; Miller, A.H., et al., Biol Psychiatry, 2009, 65: 732-741).

With respect to HPA axis regulation, several known genetic variations inthe glucocorticoid receptor gene, NR3C1, affect glucocorticoidsensitivity (Spijker, A. T. and van Rossum, E. F. C.,Neuroendocrinology, 2012, 95:179-186). For example, the ER22/23EKpolymorphism, which is associated with mild glucocorticoid resistance,and the BclI polymorphism, which is associated with increased stabilityof the mRNA of the dominant negative GR-β isoform, are both associatedwith a higher risk of developing a mood and related disorders (Id.).Additionally, carriers of particular heritable polymorphisms in thegenes encoding for FK506-binding protein 5 (FKBP5; co-chaperone of theglucocorticoid receptor that inhibits ligand binding and pathwayactivation) leading to increased intracellular FKBP5 protein expression,the CRH receptor 1 (CRHR1 rs242939 polymorphism), and serotonintransporter (SLC6A4; responsible for serotonin transport and reuptake)have been shown to be overrepresented in patients with depression, andcarriers of these genetic variants have an increased likelihood ofdeveloping some types of anxiety disorders (Mahan, A. L. and Ressler, K.J., Trends Neurosci, 2012, 35: 24-35; Pitman, R. K., et al., Nat RevNeurosci., 2012, 13: 769-787; Spijker, A. T. and van Rossum, E. F. C.,Neuroendocrinology, 2012, 95:179-186; Miller, A. H., et al., BiolPsychiatry, 2009, 65: 732-741).

Within the RAS pathway, ACE gene variants, which are characterized by aninsertion (allele I) or deletion (allele D) of a ˜250 basepair fragment,affect ACE activity. Patients with homozygous genotype DD present withhigher ACE activity and is associated with anxiety and mood disorders aswell as risk of suicidal behavior (Liu, F., et al., Int J PhysiolPathophysiol Pharmacol, 2012, 4: 28-35). Additional SNPs (r54291,rs4295) located in the promoter region of the ACE gene are alsoassociated with anxiety disorders and increased likelihood of developingan anxiety disorder, (Id.). Further genetic variants of the RAS pathwayhighly associated with anxiety and associated fear responses, includepolymorphisms of the ATiR (e.g., A1166C polymorphism) (Id.).

Further evidence has suggested that in addition to genotype, epigeneticfactors such as gene methylation, histone deacetylation, and other geneexpression differences can influence or accompany the development ofanxiety and mood disorders, and these genetic profiles can be screenedto determine patients presenting certain genetic pre-dispositionsassociated with high or increased risk of developing an anxiety disorder(Spijker, A. T. and van Rossum, E. F. C., Neuroendocrinology, 2012, 95:179-186; Mahan, A. L. and Ressler, K. J., Trends Neurosci, 2012, 35:24-35; Pitman, R. K., et al., Nat Rev Neurosci., 2012, 13: 769-787).

Once a clinical anxiety disorder is present, a host of physiologicalchanges occur in the patient, including SNS and immune systemactivation/hyperactivation, neuroendocrine changes, rhythm disturbances,oxidative stress, platelet hypercoagulability and endothelialdysfunction, all of which exert a negative impact on cardiovascularhealth (Halaris, A., Curr Topics Behav Neurosci, 2017, 31:45-70). Asdiscussed above, anxiety and mood disorders are characterized by, amongother things, elevated SNS activity, reduced heart rate variability,increased plasma cortisol levels and elevated inflammatory responses,all of which are associated with increased risk of cardiovasculardisease (Brown, A. D., et al., CNS Drugs, 2009, 23:583-602). Inparticular, psychological stress accompanying an anxiety disorder causesdysregulation of the SNS and the HPA axis which can precipitate numerousdownstream physiological effects throughout the body, includinghypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, coronary vasoconstriction,endothelial dysfunction, platelet activation and the production ofpro-inflammatory cytokines, all of which carry an elevated risk ofventricular arrhythmias and MI (Dhar, A. K. and Barton, D. A., Front.Psychiatry, 2016, 7:33). Additionally, anxiety disorders have been shownto be associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patientshaving cardiovascular disease (Celano, C. M., et al., Curr PsychiatryRep., 2016, 18(11); 101). Without being bound by theory, mental stress(which accompanies anxiety disorders) has been shown to activate cardiacsympathetic nerves with downstream effects of heart rhythm disturbances,increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias, decreased blood flow, leftventricular hypertrophy, MI and sudden death. Furthermore, essentialhypertension can be triggered by and maintained by chronic psychologicalstress. Accordingly, anxiety disorders are a risk factor for thedevelopment of cardiovascular disease and stroke, with the relative risklevel proportional to the severity of disorder in the patient (Celano,C. M., et al., Curr Psychiatry Rep., 2016, 18(11); 101; Dhar, A. K. andBarton, D. A., Front. Psychiatry, 2016, 7:33; Chun, H. Y, et al.,Stroke, 2018, 49: 556-564). Furthermore, chronic stress and anxiety inpatients significantly increase future risk of stroke and transientischemic attacks (TIAs), with higher levels of anxiety-related symptomsproportional to the increased risk of stroke and TIA (Chun, H. Y, etal., Stroke, 2018, 49: 556-564). Excess stroke and TIA risk associatedwith anxiety disorders may stem from anxiety-associated activation ofthe HPA axis, elevated catecholamines, and elevated inflammatoryresponses (e.g., increased CRP, IL-6, etc.) which are all related tostroke risk (Id.).

C. Identification of Patients or Cohorts Diagnosed with an AnxietyDisorder or at Risk of Developing an Anxiety Disorder

Patients presenting with a high likelihood of having an anxiety disordercan include patients presenting with one or more of (1) anxiety-relatedsymptoms (e.g., feeling nervous, anxious or on edge, not being able tostop or control worrying, worrying too much about different things,trouble relaxing, being so restless that it is hard to sit still,becoming easily annoyed or irritable, feeling afraid as if somethingawful might happen, avoiding places or situations that cause panic oruncontrollable fear, and/or re-experiencing traumatic experiences), (2)sleep disturbances (e.g., insomnia, hypersomnia, difficulty maintainingsleep, etc.), (3) family history of depression, anxiety disorder orother mental illness, (4) prior diagnosis of acute stress disorder, (5)prior diagnosis of any mood disorder (e.g., depression, anxiety,bipolar, panic disorder, etc.), (6) suicidal thoughts or tendencies,and/or (7) depression symptoms (e.g., depressed mood for most of theday, anhedonia, psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day,anergia, poor appetite or overeating, low self-esteem or feelings ofworthlessness, changes in cognitive ability, and/or negative feelingsabout self or the world). Patients demonstrating certain risk factors oranxiety-related symptoms may also have an increased likelihood of havingan anxiety disorder if they exhibit with one or more of elevated SNSactivity (e.g., catecholamines detected in urine or plasma), low centralnervous system NPY levels, elevated cortisol levels, glucocorticoidresistance (e.g., as assessed via dexamethasone suppression test),elevated CAR, low heart rate variability, elevated MSBP, limited or no“dipping” of nocturnal blood pressure, elevated levels of seruminflammatory cytokine levels (e.g., IL-6, IL-1β, IL-2, TNF-α, CRP,etc.), and/or endothelial dysfunction.

Some patients may also present with comorbid conditions or diseases suchas cardiovascular disease, having suffered a major cardiac event (e.g.,MI, coronary artery bypass surgery), having had a stroke or risk ofstroke, hypertension or pre-hypertension, ventricular arrhythmias, leftventricular hypertrophy, above-normal cholesterol levels,atherosclerosis, insulin resistance or other metabolic disorder,arterial stiffening or aneurysm(s), obesity or being overweight (e.g.,high BMI), cancer, and/or patients with active substance abuse, ahistory of substance abuse, or prior mental disorder. In certainembodiments, the patient can present with one or more risk factorsand/or comorbid conditions associated with an increased likelihood ofhaving an anxiety disorder. However, in other embodiments, suchassociated conditions may not be present in a patient having an anxietydisorder and/or at risk of developing an anxiety disorder. For example,the patient may be normotensive, have no evidence of cardiovasculardisease, normal BMI, normal insulin sensitivity, and/or no elevatedlevels of inflammatory biomarkers.

Patients presenting with a high or increased risk of developing ananxiety disorder can include patients having one or more demographic orbiophysical risk factors as described herein and who have not met thediagnosis standard as set forth in DSM-5 and/or patients in which one ormore anxiety screening tools or instruments used to give aprofessionally-accepted diagnosis have not confirmed an anxietydisorder. However, such patients may present one or more risk factorsassociated with an increased likelihood of developing an anxietydisorder. For example, the patient may have an increased likelihood of apresent condition progressing toward an anxiety disorder, such as apatient presenting some but not a qualifying number of symptoms on theDSM-5, or in another embodiment, a patient may present a qualifyingnumber of symptoms but has not experienced a threshold level of severityfor one or more of those symptoms. In another example, the patient maydemonstrate a combination of described risk factors (e.g., elevated SNStone, high CAR, glucocorticoid resistance, elevated levels of CRP, lowlevels of central NPY, having experienced prior depressive episodesand/or anxiety attacks, history of child abuse or trauma, and/or familyhistory of anxiety disorder, depression and/or other mental illness,etc.) and currently be experiencing chronic and/or excessivepsychological stress (e.g., experiencing major life change, a difficultrelationship, illness or disease of self or loved one, death of lovedone, occupational stress, etc.).

In particular embodiments, patients having an increased risk ofdeveloping a moderate or severe anxiety disorder may have, for example,mild or acute anxiety symptoms and demonstrate one or more of thefollowing risk factors: (1) occasions of excessive anxiety and worry,(2) episodes of uncontrolled worrying, (3) at least three other DSM-5anxiety-associated symptoms (e.g., restlessness, fatigue, impairedconcentration or mind going blank, irritability, increased muscle achesor soreness, and sleep disturbances (e.g., insomnia, hypersomnia,difficulty maintaining sleep, etc.), (4) previously experiencedtraumatic events or experiences, (5) personal history of ananxiety-related disorder, (6) family history of depression, anxietydisorder or other mental illness, (7) prior diagnosis of acute stressdisorder, (8) prior diagnosis of any mood disorder (e.g., depression,anxiety, bipolar, panic disorder, etc.), (9) suicidal thoughts ortendencies, and/or (10) depression symptoms (e.g., depressed mood formost of the day, anhedonia, psychomotor agitation or retardation nearlyevery day, anergia, poor appetite or overeating, low self-esteem orfeelings of worthlessness, changes in cognitive ability, and/or negativefeelings about self or the world). Further risk factors for thedevelopment of an anxiety disorder in patients can include physiologicalmarkers such as elevated SNS activity (e.g., increased levels ofcatecholamines as detected in urine or plasma), elevated cortisollevels, low central nervous system NPY levels, glucocorticoid resistance(e.g., as assessed via dexamethasone suppression test), elevated CAR,low heart rate variability, elevated MSBP, limited or no “dipping” ofnocturnal blood pressure, low baroreceptor sensitivity (e.g., anassessment of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy), and/or elevatedlevels of serum inflammatory cytokine levels. A patient at-risk ofdeveloping an anxiety disorder may be hypertensive or pre-hypertensiveand/or show elevated SNS tone in the form of blood pressuredysregulation (e.g., elevated 24-hour blood pressure variability).However, in many instances, patients having an anxiety disorder or beingat-risk of developing an anxiety disorder can have normal blood pressurelevels (e.g., do not have hypertension or pre-hypertension).

In some embodiments of the present technology, the patient can have acalculated risk score for (i) determining an anxiety disorder status(e.g., diagnosis, severity, etc.) or (ii) the prediction of developingan anxiety disorder that is above a threshold anxiety disorder riskscore. Such a calculated anxiety disorder risk score can indicate alikelihood of an anxiety disorder diagnosis or, in another embodiment, alikelihood of developing an anxiety disorder. In one embodiment, forexample, a calculated anxiety disorder risk score for determining ananxiety disorder status can be based upon one or more data sets known inthe art. For example, an anxiety disorder risk score based upon theGAD-7 assessment, which derived data from a large double-blind trial(Spitzer, R. L., et al., Arch Intern Med., 2006, 166: 1092-1097). TheGAD-7, among other assessment tools, can be used to establish an anxietydisorder risk score for determining an anxiety disorder status (e.g.,diagnosis/severity), and can be based upon an analysis of the patient'sassessment across multiple possible risk factors (Id.). For example, thepatient can be queried and assessed for core anxiety-related symptomsindicated in the DSM-5 and the International Statistical Classificationof Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) classification systemsto determine if a patient has mild, moderate, or severe anxiety and/oran anxiety disorder. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognizethat the GAD-7 scale study is only one study in which a risk scorecalculation can be developed and applied. Other published data sourcesdocumenting multiple possible risk factors and corresponding scores mayuse any of many well described techniques. Such techniques fordeveloping tools to calculate an anxiety disorder risk score could beempirical, based on multivariate regression, or using artificialintelligence (e.g. Bayesian probability, machine learning, etc.) amongother techniques known in the art.

In other embodiments, a patient presenting a high or increased risk ofdeveloping an anxiety disorder can have a genetic disorder or determinedgenetic pre-disposition to developing an anxiety or mood disorder. Forexample, specific forms (e.g., polymorphisms) of the glucocorticoidreceptor gene, NR3C1, affect glucocorticoid sensitivity and additionalpolymorphisms in the gene known as FKBP5, a co-chaperone of theglucocorticoid receptor, is associated with increased glucocorticoidresistance and increased risk for anxiety-related disorders.Additionally, carriers of polymorphisms in the genes encoding for theCRH receptor 1, the serotonin transporter, IL-1β, TNF-α, ACE, and theangiotensin II receptor, ATTR, are associated with an increasedlikelihood of developing an anxiety or mood disorder (Spijker, A. T. andvan Rossum, E. F. C., Neuroendocrinology, 2012, 95:179-186; Miller, A.H., et al., Biol Psychiatry, 2009, 65: 732-741; Liu, F., et al., Int JPhysiol Pathophysiol Pharmacol, 2012, 4: 28-35). As evidence hassuggested that genotype, gene methylation, histone deacetylation, andgene expression differences among other epigenetic factors, influence oraccompany the development of anxiety disorders, these genetic profilescan be screened to determine patients presenting certain geneticpre-dispositions associated with high or increased risk of developing ananxiety disorder (Spijker, A. T. and van Rossum, E. F. C.,Neuroendocrinology, 2012, 95:179-186).

A patient suspected of having an anxiety disorder can be evaluated for alevel of dysfunction or severity of symptoms and/or sequelae associatedwith anxiety disorders. Evaluation of core anxiety symptoms (e.g.,excessive anxiety and worry, uncontrolled worrying, restlessness,fatigue, impaired concentration or mind going blank, irritability,increased muscle aches or soreness, and difficulty sleeping, etc.), caninclude a self-reporting or assessment of changes from a person's usuallevel of function (e.g., prior to on-set of symptoms) to a currentcondition. Evaluation input may also come from trusted sources (e.g.,trusted family members, friends, primary physician, etc.) that canprovide information on changes in performance on daily activities,job/employment performance, behavior or mood changes, sleep patterns, aswell as angry outbursts, irritability or aggression and/or other riskyor destructive behaviors, etc.

Physicians or other qualified clinicians may also administer one or morequestionnaires or diagnostic tests, such as screening tools, to assessanxiety disorder risk, severity and diagnosis. Anxiety screening toolssuch as the GAD-7, BAI, Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, Taylor ManifestAnxiety Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, HADS, PHQ-ADS, PROMISLSAS, SIAS, SPIN, SPS, SAQ-A30, and/or a VAS, among others, as well asother screening instruments that look at multiple risk factors forpredicting the patient-specific clinical features along with anxietydisorder status can be utilized in the assessment process. One ofordinary skill in the art will recognize other anxiety tests and scalesthat can be used to determine the status of anxiety of a patient. Insome embodiments, for example, a patient may be suspected of having ananxiety disorder based upon a single test score or outcome, combinedtest scores from multiple tests, or one or more test scores frommultiple tests. Diagnosis can be made based upon, for example, meetingor exceeding a threshold test score. In other embodiments, a patient maydemonstrate an increase in symptom severity as reflected in test scorestaken over time. For example, a particular patient may show an increasein anxiety disorder risk via a result in a test score between takingtests two weeks after on-set of symptoms, one month after on-set ofsymptoms, six months after on-set of symptoms, and a year or more afteron-set of symptoms. Cognitive functioning (e.g., cerebral activitiesencompassing reasoning, memory, attention, and language),emotional/social functioning (e.g., traits and abilities involvingpositive and negative aspects of social and emotional life like empathy,interpreting emotion, speed and intensity of emotion generation, andefficacy of coping with negative emotions, etc.), and anxiety-relatedsymptoms, as well as other data that can be collected in an evaluationof a patient, are based on self-report, observational (behavioral), orpsychological data.

In a particular example, if a patient could respond (or a cliniciancould so indicate with respect to a patient) in affirmation (i.e.,answering “yes”) to three or more of the following questions, then thepatient could be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and, in someembodiments, be treated with renal neuromodulation to treat the anxietydisorder: Over the last six months, and for several days, more than halfthe days or nearly every day—

-   -   1. Have you felt nervous, anxious or on edge?    -   2. Are you able to stop or control worrying?    -   3. Do you worry excessively about different things?    -   4. Do you have trouble relaxing?    -   5. Do you feel restless such that it is hard to sit still?    -   6. Are you easily annoyed or irritable?    -   7. Do you feel afraid as if something awful might happen?

Additional screening tools or anxiety disorder risk score calculatingtools may ask additional questions to identify the presence or absenceof known anxiety disorder risk factors. For example, a patient may beasked to respond to one or more of the following questions in anassessment:

-   -   How difficult have your feelings of anxiousness or worry made it        for you to do your work, take care of things at home, or get        along with other people?    -   Have you had difficulty in concentrating, e.g., when reading the        newspaper or watching television?    -   Do you have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep?    -   Do you experience muscle tension or soreness?    -   Are you easily fatigued?    -   Do you have a personal or family history of an anxiety disorder        or mental illness?    -   How many adverse life events (e.g., major illness, abuse, loss        of a loved one, unemployment, psychological trauma, etc.) have        you experienced that has caused you either high levels of stress        or chronic (e.g., greater than one year) stress?    -   Did you experience traumatic life events and/or abuse as a child        or adolescent?    -   Have you deliberately tried hard not to think about something        that happened to you or went out of your way to avoid certain        places or activities that cause excessive fear or might remind        you of something that happened in the past?    -   Have you felt you had to stay on guard much of the time or        unexpected noises startled you more than usual?    -   Have you felt excessive fear in social situations and/or when        around other people?    -   Are you single, married, widowed or divorced?    -   Do you have family or other social support in your life?    -   Do you have access to sufficient economic resources?    -   Do you have a regular doctor or a usual source of care that you        can go to for routine medical care?    -   Are you male or female?

Physicians or other qualified clinicians may also administer one or morequestionnaires or diagnostic tests, such as screening tools, to assessdepression symptoms that may accompany core anxiety disorder symptoms.For example, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2) scale is atwo-item depression screener as exemplified in the following questions:

-   -   1. Have you ever had a period of two weeks or longer when you        were feeling depressed or down most of the day or nearly every        day?    -   2. Have you ever had a period of two weeks or longer when you        were uninterested in most things or unable to enjoy things you        used to do?

A patient having core anxiety disorder symptoms and one or moredepression symptoms can be a candidate for renal neuromodulation.

In addition to self-reporting, observational, or other psychologicaldata, a patient may also be evaluated for physiological data.Accordingly, a patient may demonstrate one or more physiologicalparameters associated with an anxiety disorder or, in other embodiments,with chronic psychological stress. Non-limiting examples ofanxiety-associated physiological parameters may include low heart ratevariability (e.g., as assessed by Standard Deviation NN intervals(SDNN)), decreased baroreceptor sensitivity (as an assessment ofcardiovascular autonomic neuropathy), heightened heart rate responses tostimuli/stress (e.g., via Stroop Color Test or Cold Pressor Test),elevated muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA; a marker of SNSactivity), elevated systolic blood pressure, increased MSBP, lack of orlow levels of nocturnal blood pressure “dipping”, higher skinconductance (e.g., a measure of sweat activity thought to be under SNSinfluence), higher resting heart rate, disrupted sleep patterns or lowquality sleep, elevated peripheral inflammatory markers (e.g., IL-6,IL-1β, IL-2, CRP, TNF-α, etc.), low NPY levels (e.g., in the CNS andplasma), and other measures of sympathetic activity (e.g., increasedrenal and/or total body norepinephrine spillover, increased plasmanorepinephrine levels, increased urine levels of norepinephrine andmetabolites thereof, etc.). Further physiological parameters that can berisk factors for an anxiety disorder may include increased cortisollevels, glucocorticoid resistance (e.g., as assessed via dexamethasonesuppression test), reduced hippocampal volume (e.g., as assessed bystructural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI)), and/or decreased levelsof neurotransmitter receptors (e.g., GABA, 5-HT/serotonin, dopamine) inthe brain (e.g., as assessed via administered radioligands followed bypositron emission tomography (PET)), (Bearden, C. E., et al., ASN Neuro,2009, 1(4):art:e00020.doi:10.1042/AN20090026; Pitman, R. K., et al., NatRev Neurosci., 2012, 13: 769-787).

In accordance with aspects of the present technology, patientspresenting with one or more risk factors for having an anxiety disorder,having a calculated anxiety disorder risk score, and/or one or more riskfactors for developing an anxiety disorder can be candidates fortreatment for an anxiety disorder. In other embodiments, some patientsmay also be candidates for renal neuromodulation for the prevention ofdeveloping an anxiety disorder in the patient. As noted above, renalneuromodulation is expected to efficaciously treat an anxiety disorderincluding one or more symptoms associated with an anxiety disorder.Renal neuromodulation is also expected to efficaciously prevent anincidence of, reduce a severity of, or slow a progression of an anxietydisorder. Renal neuromodulation is further expected to improve apatient's calculated anxiety disorder risk score correlating to ananxiety disorder status/diagnosis.

In certain embodiments, for example, renal neuromodulation treatsseveral clinical conditions characterized by increased overallsympathetic activity and, in particular, conditions associated withcentral sympathetic overstimulation such as pre-hypertension,hypertension, blood pressure variability, heart rate variability,vascular disease (e.g., vessel stiffening), metabolic syndrome, insulinresistance, diabetes, cancer, cognitive impairment (e.g., which canprogress to dementia), and systemic inflammation, among others, that maybe associated with and/or contribute to a severity or progression of ananxiety disorder in a patient. The reduction of afferent neural signalstypically contribute to the systemic reduction of sympathetictone/drive, and renal neuromodulation is expected to be useful intreating several conditions associated with systemic sympatheticoveractivity or hyperactivity. For example, and in accordance with otheraspects of the present technology, patients presenting with one or morerisk factors for having an anxiety disorder and/or having a positiveclinical diagnosis for an anxiety disorder can be candidates for renalneuromodulation treatment for preventing, reducing an incidence of,and/or reducing a severity of a cardiovascular condition (e.g., coronaryheart disease, MI, left ventricular hypertrophy, ventriculararrhythmias, etc.) and/or stroke (e.g., acute ischemic stroke, lacunarstroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), hemorrhagic stroke, etc.) inthe patient. In other embodiments, treating patients having an anxietydisorder in younger (e.g., 18-40 years of age) or in middle-aged (e.g.,40-65 years of age) patients may reduce an incidence of or improve anoutcome of many comorbid conditions and diseases including, but notlimited to, cardiovascular disease, stroke, metabolic disorders,diabetes, elevated cholesterol, obesity, cancer, dementia, etc.Accordingly, in particular examples, patients having or at risk ofhaving an anxiety disorder and who are suitable candidates for treatmentvia renal neuromodulation can be between the ages of 18 and 45, betweenthe ages of 18 and 30, between the ages of 20 and 40, or between theages of 20 and 35. In other embodiments, the patients may be between theages of 35 and 65, between the ages of 45 and 65, between the ages of 50and 70, or the patient can be at least 35 years old, or at least 18years old.

II. RENAL NEUROMODULATION FOR TREATING ANXIETY DISORDERS AND/OR REDUCINGA RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN ANXIETY DISORDER

Therapeutically-effective renal neuromodulation can be used for thetreatment of an anxiety disorder or for the treatment of one or moresymptoms and/or sequelae associated with an anxiety disorder, themanagement of an anxiety disorder, or to reduce an incidence of ananxiety disorder in patients identified as having a risk of developingan anxiety disorder at a future time. In further embodiments,therapeutically-effective renal neuromodulation can be used for treatinga patient (e.g., a patient having one or more risk factors associatedwith developing an anxiety disorder) prior to experiencing a potentiallysevere or life-threatening episode (e.g., patient with one or moresuicide attempts; patient with dangerous and/or unpredictable panicattacks) for reducing a risk associated with developing an anxietydisorder.

In other embodiments, therapeutically-effective renal neuromodulationcan be used to treat anxiety disorder patients or patients diagnosedwith an anxiety disorder to reduce an incidence of cardiovasculardisease (e.g., coronary heart disease, etc.) or a cardiovascular event(e.g., MI, stroke, etc.) in the patient. In further embodiments,therapeutically-effective renal neuromodulation can be used for treatinga patient having an anxiety disorder to improve one or more parametersassociated with cardiovascular health, or to reduce a severity of acardiovascular condition.

While sympathetic drive regulation can have adaptive utility inmaintaining homeostasis or in preparing many organs in the body for arapid response to environmental factors, chronic activation of the SNS(e.g., associated with acute stress syndrome, chronic stress, primaryaging, age-associated obesity, etc.) is a common maladaptive responsethat can contribute to diseases/conditions (e.g., hypertension, systemicor localized inflammation, vascular remodeling, atherosclerosis,obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, etc.) or predisposeindividuals to psychophysiological adaptations that can increase apatient's risk of developing an anxiety disorder and/or driveprogression and/or severity of an anxiety disorder in a patient.Excessive activation of the renal sympathetic nerves in particular hasbeen identified experimentally and in humans as a likely contributor tothe complex pathophysiology of hypertension, states of volume overload(such as heart failure), systemic inflammation, and progressive renaldisease. As examples, radiotracer dilution has demonstrated increasedrenal norepinephrine spillover rates in patients with essentialhypertension.

Aspects of the present technology include targeting renal nerve fibersfor neuromodulation in patients (1) having been diagnosed with ananxiety disorder, (2) demonstrating one more physiological and/orpsychological symptoms associated with an anxiety disorder, and/or (3)having an increased risk associated with developing an anxiety disorder.Targeting renal nerve fibers for neuromodulation in patients caneffectively attenuate neural traffic along the sympathetic nerves.Without being bound by theory, attenuation of neural traffic along renalsympathetic nerves can be used, for example, to treat or prohibit one ormore hallmark symptoms associated with an anxiety disorder, decreasesystemic inflammatory responses associated with an anxiety disorder,and/or decrease a level of severity of an anxiety disorder and/or reducea number of symptoms associated with an anxiety disorder in the patient.In some embodiments, hallmark symptoms of an anxiety disorder that canbe treated, reduced or prevented via attenuation of neural traffic alongrenal sympathetic nerves can include, for example, excessive anxiety andworry, uncontrolled worrying, restlessness, fatigue, impairedconcentration or mind going blank, irritability, increased muscle achesor soreness, sleep disturbances (e.g., insomnia, hypersomnia, difficultymaintaining sleep, etc.), and undesirable elevations in heart rate,blood pressure, and inflammation. In yet another embodiment, attenuationof neural traffic along renal sympathetic nerves in an individual havingone or more risk factors associated with developing an anxiety disordercan be used for reducing a risk associated with developing an anxietydisorder.

As discussed above, several diseases and conditions have highcomorbidity with an anxiety disorder diagnosis, including, for example,substance and alcohol abuse/addiction, depression and/or depressivedisorder, psychotic and/or personality disorders, cardiovasculardisease, stroke, hypertension, obesity (e.g., high BMI), metabolicdisorders, such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, and cognitive impairment(e.g., leading to dementia). In certain embodiments, patients having ananxiety disorder and one or more comorbid conditions and/or diseases canbe treated with renal neuromodulation to treat and/or reduce severity ofthe anxiety disorder and/or the one or more comorbidconditions/diseases. In another example, renal neuromodulation can beused to therapeutically treat a patient diagnosed with an anxietydisorder for preventing and/or reducing an incidence of developing oneor more comorbid conditions/diseases, including thoseconditions/diseases wherein chronic SNS activity is known to be acontributing factor (e.g., hypertension, cardiovascular disease, etc.).

In one example, renal neuromodulation can be used to reduce a patient'ssystolic blood pressure, including a MSBP and/or a nocturnal bloodpressure level. In another example, renal neuromodulation can be used toincrease heart rate variability (e.g., the beat-to-beat fluctuations inheart rate) in a patient. In other embodiments, attenuation of neuraltraffic along renal sympathetic nerves can be used to treat or preventmetabolic disorders, obesity and/or insulin resistance in the patienthaving an anxiety disorder or at increased risk associated withdeveloping an anxiety disorder. In yet a further embodiment, renalneuromodulation can be used to lower one or more levels of inflammatorybiomarkers in a patient.

Certain effects of chronic SNS activation (such as resulting fromchronic psychological stress) that take place prior to experiencing apotential anxiety or panic attack/episode may be associated with anincreased risk of developing an anxiety disorder. Many of these effectsmay not yield noticeable signs or symptoms associated with a disease;however, the effects of chronic SNS activation can cause unseen damageto cardiac tissue, brain tissue, and/or vascular tissue, as well asdisrupt normal neurophysiological and hormonal balances throughout thebody prior to the appearance of quantifiable disease indicatorstypically associated with maladaptive SNS activation and/or prior toexposure to experiencing anxiety-associated symptoms in the predisposedor at-risk individual. Accordingly, in one embodiment, neuromodulationtreatment can be used to treat patients having a high risk of developingan anxiety disorder. For example, patients may present one or more riskfactors for developing an anxiety disorder (e.g., having been diagnosedwith chronic stress, having an elevated heart rate, having reduced heartrate variability, having elevated cortisol levels and/or CRH levels,presenting with glucocorticoid resistance, elevated CAR, low levels ofcentral NPY, having elevated systemic plasma levels of inflammatorybiomarkers (e.g., IL-6, CRP, etc.), having high blood pressure, having agenetic predisposition (e.g., polymorphisms in genes encoding for NR3C1,FKBP5, CRHR1, SLC6A4 IL-1β, TNF-α, ACE, ATiR, etc.). In other examples,such patients having a high risk of developing an anxiety disorder maypresent one or more social or demographic risk factors for thedevelopment of an anxiety disorder (e.g., adverse childhoodexperience(s), female gender, single, personal or family history of ananxiety disorder, depression or mental illness, experiencing adverselife events, prior exposure to trauma, history of substance abuse, beingin a stressful situation or relationship, low level of education,limited access to economic resources, smoker, physically inactive,etc.).

In still further embodiments, neuromodulation treatment can be used totreat patients for improving an anxiety disorder risk score for apatient diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Such a risk score may bedetermined, for example, using an anxiety screening tool for determininga severity of an anxiety disorder in the patient. For example, certainpatients can have an anxiety disorder risk score above a thresholdanxiety disorder risk score, can have one or more anxiety disorder riskfactors, have a combination of anxiety disorder risk factors, etc., andrenal neuromodulation can be used to therapeutically reduce (a) systemicplasma levels of norepinephrine from, e.g., spillover from innervationof smooth muscle surrounding blood vessels, (b) systemic plasma levelsof inflammatory biomarkers (e.g., IL-6, CRP, etc.), and/or (c) highblood pressure. In other embodiments, neuromodulation treatment can beused to increase heart rate variability or decrease MSBP in patients.

In one embodiment, a patient having extreme or chronicpsychological/mental stress in response to an adverse life event orcondition and presenting with one or more acute stress indicators orother indicators, such as pre-hypertension (e.g., systolic BP of 120-139mmHg/diastolic BP of 80-89 mmHg), hypertension (e.g., systolic BP >140mmHg/diastolic BP >90 mmHg), increased serum levels of IL-6 or CRP,higher levels of glucocorticoid (e.g., cortisol), higher CAR, higherMSBP, decreased heart rate variability, or having other factorspresenting an increased risk of developing an anxiety disorder (e.g.,persons having experienced traumatic events, adverse childhood, familyhistory of mental illness, anxiety disorder-associated geneticpolymorphisms, etc.) can be treated with renal neuromodulation to reducea level of renal sympathetic drive and/or reduce a level of systemicnorepinephrine spillover in circulating plasma (Schlaich, M. P., et al.,Frontiers in Physiology, 2012, 3(10): 1-7).

In some embodiments, a patient demonstrating chronic stress indicatorsfor greater than 1 year and presenting with anxiety-associated symptomscan be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder by a physician or qualifiedclinician. In other embodiments, a patient demonstrating chronic stressindicators and anxiety-associated symptoms can present with a qualifyingresult on an anxiety screening tool (e.g., tool for assessing an anxietydisorder diagnosis, tool for assessing an anxiety disorder risk status,etc.). In further embodiments, chronic psychological stress indicatorsprecipitated by an adverse life condition or event can refer to patientsat risk of developing an anxiety disorder, and patients may be treatedwith renal neuromodulation to prevent a future on-set of an anxietydisorder, reduce a risk factor score associated with the severity of ananxiety disorder, reduce a severity of one or more symptoms associatedwith an anxiety disorder, or reduce an incidence of developing one morecomorbid conditions/diseases.

Several embodiments of the present technology utilize intravasculardevices that reduce sympathetic nerve activity by applying, for example,radiofrequency (RF) energy to target nerve(s) or target site(s) inpatients presenting one or more physiological symptoms associated withan anxiety disorder, or having a risk of developing an anxiety disorder,such as having one or more anxiety disorder risk factors. In certainembodiments, neuromodulation is used to reduce renal sympathetic nerveactivity in patients having a high risk (e.g., a predisposition orincreased likelihood) of developing an anxiety disorder, one or moresigns or symptoms associated with anxiety disorder development, or, infurther embodiments, in patients having been diagnosed with an anxietydisorder. In a particular embodiment, neuromodulation is used to reducerenal sympathetic nerve activity in patients having an anxiety disorderrisk score (e.g., indicating a status or severity of an anxietydisorder) above a threshold risk score.

Renal neuromodulation is the partial or complete incapacitation or othereffective disruption of the nerves of the kidneys, including nervesterminating in the kidneys or in structures closely associated with thekidneys. In particular, renal neuromodulation can include inhibiting,reducing, and/or blocking neural communication along neural fibers(i.e., efferent and/or afferent nerve fibers) innervating the kidneys.Such incapacitation can be long-term (e.g., permanent or for periods ofmonths, years, or decades) or short-term (e.g., for periods of minutes,hours, days, or weeks). While long-term disruption of the renal nervescan be desirable for preventing incidence of or treating an anxietydisorder, reducing a severity of an anxiety disorder, or for alleviatingsymptoms and other sequelae associated with an anxiety disorder overlonger periods of time, short-term modulation of the renal nerves mayalso be desirable. For example, some patients may benefit fromshort-term renal nerve modulation to address acute symptoms presentingduring or following an adverse life event or condition, such ashyperarousal, social or other anxiety, insomnia, mood swings, or otherstress/anxiety-related behavioral changes. In particular, some patientsmay benefit from short-term renal nerve modulation to address theeffects of worry or fear following a traumatic event such as, forexample, an accident or natural disaster, illness, or loss of a lovedone. In other instances, some patients may benefit from short-term renalnerve modulation as adjuvant therapy to increase effectiveness ofco-administered drugs (e.g., anti-anxiety drugs, antidepressant drugs,anti-psychotic drugs, anti-inflammatory medications, anti-hypertensivedrugs, and sleeping medications among others administered to supportpatients with anti-anxiety drugs,) and/or psychotherapy (e.g.,cognitive-behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, etc.).

FIG. 4 is an enlarged anatomic view of nerves innervating a left kidney50 of a patient. As FIG. 4 shows, the kidney 50 is innervated by a renalplexus 52, which is intimately associated with a renal artery 54. Therenal plexus 52 is an autonomic plexus that surrounds the renal artery54 and is embedded within the adventitia of the renal artery 54. Therenal plexus 52 extends along the renal artery 54 until it arrives atthe substance of the kidney 50, innervating the kidneys whileterminating in the blood vessels, the juxtaglomerular apparatus, and therenal tubules (not shown). Fibers contributing to the renal plexus 52arise from the celiac ganglion (not shown), the superior mesentericganglion (not shown), the aorticorenal ganglion 56 and the aortic plexus(not shown). The renal plexus 52, also referred to as the renal nerve,is predominantly comprised of sympathetic components. There is no (or atleast very minimal) parasympathetic innervation of the kidney 50.

Preganglionic neuronal cell bodies are located in the intermediolateralcell column of the spinal cord (renal sympathetic nerves arise fromT10-L2, FIG. 2). Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4 together, preganglionicaxons pass through the paravertebral ganglia (they do not synapse) tobecome the lesser splanchnic nerve, the least splanchnic nerve, thefirst lumbar splanchnic nerve, and the second lumbar splanchnic nerve,and they travel to the celiac ganglion (FIG. 2), the superior mesentericganglion (FIG. 2), and the aorticorenal ganglion 56 (FIG. 4).Postganglionic neuronal cell bodies exit the celiac ganglion, thesuperior mesenteric ganglion, and the aorticorenal ganglion 56 to therenal plexus 52 and are distributed to the renal vasculature.

It has previously been shown that stimulation of renal efferent nervesdirectly affects neural regulation components of renal function that areconsiderably stimulated in disease states characterized by heightenedsympathetic tone such as, for example, increased blood pressure inhypertensive patients. As provided herein, renal neuromodulation islikely to be valuable in the treatment of an anxiety disorder and/orsymptoms associated with an anxiety disorder. Renal neuromodulation isalso likely to be valuable in the prevention of developing an anxietydisorder in certain at-risk individuals (e.g., individuals havingexperienced adverse life events or circumstances and/or presenting oneor more chronic stress indicators or biomarkers indicating a highlikelihood of developing an anxiety disorder).

Renal neuromodulation may also likely to be valuable in the treatment ofdiseases and conditions that are associated with anxiety disordersand/or increased SNS tone such as, for example, cardiovascular disease,hypertension, increased blood pressure variability, systemicinflammation, endothelial dysfunction, vascular inflammation, vesselremodeling and/or hardening, atherosclerosis, and metabolic disordersamong others. In particular, renal neuromodulation along the renalartery and/or within branches of the renal artery as described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/839,893, filed Aug. 28, 2015 andincorporated herein by reference in its entirety, is expected to reducerenal sympathetic drive in the kidney, thereby reducing the negativeimpact of SNS activation on aspects of these and other conditionsassociated with physiological changes that have impact on psychologicaland cognitive health. As such, renal neuromodulation is also likely tobe particularly valuable in patients having one or more clinicalconditions characterized by increased overall and particularly renalsympathetic activity, such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension,increased blood pressure variability, low heart rate variability,systemic inflammation, chronic vascular inflammation, endothelialdysfunction, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, diabetes, anxietydisorder, and depression among others.

As the reduction of afferent neural signals contributes to the systemicreduction of sympathetic tone/drive, renal neuromodulation might also beuseful in preventing an anxiety disorder. For example, a reduction incentral sympathetic drive may reduce and/or improve measurablephysiological parameters typically associated with the development of ananxiety disorder, prior to on-set of core anxiety disorder-associatedsymptoms. Alternatively, a reduction in central sympathetic drive may,for example, reduce an elevated heart rate, improved blood pressure,improve heart rate variability, increase blood flow to the brain, reducecerebrovascular inflammation, reduce systemic inflammation, and/orimprove other chronic stress-related symptoms such as depression andsleep disturbances (e.g., insomnia, difficulty maintaining sleep, etc.).

Other psychologically and/or neurologically related conditions, such as,e.g., depression and insomnia, as well as other conditions presented ascomorbid with anxiety disorders such as, for example, cardiovasculardisease, stroke, hypertension, high BMI (e.g., obesity), and metabolicdisorder (e.g., diabetes), may also be treatable or preventable inanxiety disorder patients using renal neuromodulation. In someinstances, therapeutically-effective renal neuromodulation may improveone or more measurable physiological parameters associated with acomorbid disease or condition in the patient without substantiallyimproving the anxiety disorder in the patient.

Intravascular devices that reduce sympathetic nerve activity byapplying, for example, RF energy to a target site in the renal arteryhave recently been shown to reduce blood pressure in patients withtreatment-resistant hypertension. The renal sympathetic nerves arisefrom T10-L2 and follow the renal artery to the kidney. The sympatheticnerves innervating the kidneys terminate in the blood vessels, thejuxtaglomerular apparatus, and the renal tubules. Stimulation of renalefferent nerves results in increased renin release (and subsequentrenin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) activation) and sodiumretention and decreased renal blood flow. These neural regulationcomponents of renal function are considerably stimulated in diseasestates characterized by heightened sympathetic tone and likelycontribute to increased blood pressure in patients with an anxietydisorder and increased levels of peripheral inflammatory markers, suchas IL-6 and CRP, in patients with an anxiety disorder experiencing ahost of inflammatory challenges.

Pharmacologic strategies to thwart the consequences of renal efferentsympathetic stimulation include centrally acting sympatholytic drugs,beta blockers (intended to reduce renin release), angiotensin convertingenzyme inhibitors and receptor blockers (intended to block the action ofangiotensin II and aldosterone activation consequent to renin release),and diuretics (intended to counter the renal sympathetic mediated sodiumand water retention). These pharmacologic strategies, however, havesignificant limitations including limited efficacy, compliance issues,side effects, and others. Recently, intravascular devices that reducesympathetic nerve activity by applying an energy field to a target sitein the renal blood vessel (e.g., via radio frequency (RF) ablation) havebeen shown to be efficacious in reducing blood pressure, decreasingblood pressure variability, decreasing nocturnal blood pressure,reducing MSBP, improving arterial stiffness and reducing mediators ofsystemic inflammation in patients with treatment-resistant hypertension.

Various techniques can be used to partially or completely incapacitateneural pathways, such as those innervating the kidney. The purposefulapplication of energy (e.g., electrical energy, thermal energy) totissue can induce one or more desired thermal heating and/or coolingeffects on localized regions along all or a portion of a renal bloodvessel (e.g., renal artery, renal arterial branch, renal ostium, renalvein) and adjacent regions of the renal plexus RP, which lay intimatelywithin or adjacent to the adventitia of the renal blood vessel. Someembodiments of the present technology, for example, includeelectrode-based or transducer-based approaches, which can be used fortherapeutically-effective neuromodulation. For example, an energydelivery element (e.g., electrode) can be configured to deliverelectrical and/or thermal energy at a treatment site.

By way of theory, targeting both general afferent and efferent renalsympathetic nerves (e.g., via a catheter-based approach, utilizingextracorporeal ultrasound) may cause beneficial effects extending wellbeyond affecting a severity of an anxiety disorder or a risk associatedwith developing an anxiety disorder, such as reducing a risk ofdeveloping hypertension, stroke, cardiovascular disease, obesity,metabolic disorder or other end organ damage. As discussed herein, acorrelation between hyperactivity of the SNS and an increased risk ofdeveloping an anxiety disorder and an increased risk in promoting moresevere anxiety-associated symptoms has been implicated. There is nowalso evidence that an anxiety disorder and related symptom severity isassociated with chronic inflammatory responses and sympatheticactivation appears to affect serum levels of peripheral inflammatorymarkers. Additionally, chronic stress, obesity and other cardiovascularmaladies promote hyperactivity (e.g., overactivity) of the sympatheticnervous system throughout the body. For example, when experiencingstress, including chronic stress, hormonal and neural information (e.g.,sensory afferent input) is received by the CNS, which in turn furtherelevates sympathetic tone via efferent signaling throughout the body.Some aspects of methods of treating patients having an anxiety disorderor having one or more risk factors, including a high risk score, for thedevelopment of an anxiety disorder, using sympathetic neuromodulationare at least in part derived from the recognition described herein thatthe kidneys may contribute to elevated central sympathetic drive.

Several aspects of the current technology are configured to reduce renalsympathetic nerve activity within or near the kidney(s) to reducelocalized release of norepinephrine. Several properties of the renalvasculature may inform the design of treatment devices and associatedmethods for achieving target sympathetic neuromodulation, for example,via intravascular access, and impose specific design requirements forsuch devices. Specific design requirements for renal neuromodulation mayinclude accessing the renal artery, a ureter, a renal pelvis, a majorrenal calyx, a minor renal calyx, and/or another suitable structure;facilitating stable contact between the energy delivery elements of suchdevices and a luminal surface or wall of the suitable targetedstructure, and/or effectively modulating the renal nerves with theneuromodulatory apparatus.

Intravascular devices that reduce sympathetic nerve activity byapplying, for example, RF energy to a treatment site in the renal arteryhave recently been shown to reduce renal sympathetic drive, renalnorepinephrine spillover, and whole body norepinephrine spillover. Renalneuromodulation is expected to reduce renal sympathetic neural activity,and since the reduction of afferent neural signals contributes to thesystemic reduction of sympathetic tone/drive, renal neuromodulation is auseful technique in addressing certain risk factors and symptomsassociated with an anxiety disorder that are attributable to systemicsympathetic hyperactivity. For example, as previously discussed, areduction in central sympathetic drive may treat an anxiety disorderincluding reducing a severity of one or more symptoms associated with ananxiety disorder, reduce a likelihood of developing an anxiety disorder,as well as improve other comorbid disease manifestations (e.g.,hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, metabolic disorders,insulin resistance, diabetes, systemic inflammation, depression, etc.)associated with sympathetic hyperactivity.

Accordingly, renal neuromodulation is expected to be useful in treatingan anxiety disorder, reducing a severity of one or more symptoms inpatients afflicted with an anxiety disorder, preventing and/or treatingone or more comorbid conditions or diseases associated with an anxietydisorder or preventing an incidence of developing an anxiety disorder inpatients presenting certain risk factors. The beneficial effect of renalneuromodulation with respect to a risk associated with development of ananxiety disorder is expected to apply to patients who do not currentlymeet the diagnostic standard for an anxiety disorder diagnosis (e.g.,under DSM-5), for example, regardless of the baseline renal sympatheticneural activity or the baseline level of norepinephrine in plasma (e.g.,whole body norepinephrine spillover). For example, renal neuromodulationin accordance with embodiments of the present technology can improve oneor more measurable physiological parameters corresponding to an anxietydisorder risk factor or status (e.g., level of severity of diagnosis) inthe patient when baseline renal sympathetic neural activity is normal,below normal, or above normal (e.g., hyperactive or overactive).Likewise, renal neuromodulation in accordance with additionalembodiments of the present technology can improve one or more measurablephysiological parameters corresponding to an anxiety disorder riskfactor or an anxiety disorder status (e.g., level of severity ofdiagnosis) in the patient when baseline central sympathetic drive,baseline norepinephrine spillover in plasma, and/or whole bodynorepinephrine spillover is normal, below normal, or above normal (e.g.,hyperactive or overactive). Such an improvement in one or moremeasurable physiological parameters corresponding to an anxiety disorderrisk factor or an anxiety disorder status (e.g., level of severity ofdiagnosis) in the patient can reduce a risk associated with developingan anxiety disorder in that patient or can reduce symptom severityand/or effectively treat an afflicted patient diagnosed with an anxietydisorder.

III. METHODS FOR TREATING ANXIETY DISORDERS AND/OR REDUCING A RISKASSOCIATED WITH DEVELOPING AN ANXIETY DISORDER AND RELATED CONDITIONS

Disclosed herein are several embodiments of methods directed to treatingan incidence of an anxiety disorder in a patient using catheter-basedrenal neuromodulation. Further embodiments disclosed herein are directedto preventing an incidence of an anxiety disorder and/or otherconditions associated with an increased risk of developing an anxietydisorder in a patient using catheter-based renal neuromodulation. Themethods disclosed herein may represent various advantages over a numberof conventional approaches and techniques in that they allow for thepotential targeting of elevated sympathetic drive, which may either be acause of several neurological, immune vascular, or other physiologicalrisk factors associated with an anxiety disorder or a key mediator ofthe disorder manifestation. Also, the disclosed methods provide forlocalized treatment and limited duration treatment regimens (e.g.,one-time treatment), thereby reducing patient long-term treatmentcompliance issues.

In certain embodiments, the methods provided herein comprise performingrenal neuromodulation, thereby decreasing sympathetic renal nerveactivity, for example, for the purposes of being able to provide one ormore of a reduction in a number of anxiety disorder risk factors, areduction in severity of one or more anxiety disorder risk factors, areduction in a calculated anxiety disorder risk score, a reversal invascular damage facilitated by sympathetic activity, or a reduction insystemic inflammation. For example, renal neuromodulation is expected toreduce a level of central sympathetic activity that may contribute toone more underlying causes of anxiety disorders.

Renal neuromodulation may be repeated one or more times at variousintervals until a desired sympathetic nerve activity level or anothertherapeutic benchmark is reached. In one embodiment, for example, adecrease in sympathetic nerve activity may be observed via a marker ofsympathetic nerve activity in patients, such as decreased levels ofplasma norepinephrine (noradrenaline), changes in levels of systemicrenin in plasma, changes in levels of angiotensin II in plasma, and/orchanges in levels of systemic aldosterone in plasma. Other measures ormarkers of sympathetic nerve activity can include MSNA, norepinephrinespillover, and/or heart rate variability. In some instances, a decreasein SNS activity can be observed as a decrease in norepinephrine andmetabolites thereof (e.g., vanillomandelic acid (VMA)) in urine. Inanother embodiment, other measurable physiological parameters ormarkers, such as improved baroreceptor sensitivity, improved heart rateresponses to stimuli/stress, improved heart rate variability, improvedskin conductance, improved blood pressure control (e.g., lower bloodpressure), improved blood pressure variability (e.g., improved MSBP,improved nocturnal blood pressure “dipping”), lower levels of peripheralinflammatory biomarkers (e.g., IL-6, IL-113, IL-2, TNF-α, CRP, etc.),improved levels of NPY, reduced cortisol levels, reduced CAR, reducedglucocorticoid resistance, improved brain neural activity (e.g., in thehippocampus and other brain regions), cessation or reversal of brainatrophy (e.g., in the hippocampus), changes in aldosterone-to-reninratio (ARR), changes in a salt suppression test, changes in blood plasmalevels of potassium, improved blood glucose regulation, etc., can beused to assess efficacy of the thermal modulation treatment for patientsdiagnosed as having an anxiety disorder or for patients having one ormore risk factors for developing an anxiety disorder, and/or having acalculated anxiety disorder risk score above a threshold anxietydisorder risk score. In certain embodiments, renal neuromodulation maybe repeated one or more times at various intervals until a desiredsympathetic nerve activity level or another therapeutic benchmark isreached for such patients.

In certain embodiments of the methods provided herein, renalneuromodulation is expected to result in a change in sympathetic nerveactivity and/or in other measurable physiological parameters or markers,over a specific timeframe. For example, in certain of these embodiments,sympathetic nerve activity levels are decreased over an extendedtimeframe, e.g., within 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 6 months, 9 monthsor 12 months post-neuromodulation.

In several embodiments, the methods disclosed herein may comprise anadditional step of measuring sympathetic nerve activity levels, and incertain of these embodiments, the methods can further comprise comparingthe activity level to a baseline activity level. Such comparisons can beused to monitor therapeutic efficacy and to determine when and if torepeat the neuromodulation procedure. In certain embodiments, a baselinesympathetic nerve activity level is derived from the subject undergoingtreatment. For example, baseline sympathetic nerve activity level may bemeasured in the subject at one or more timepoints prior to treatment. Abaseline sympathetic nerve activity value may represent sympatheticnerve activity at a specific timepoint before neuromodulation, or it mayrepresent an average activity level at two or more timepoints prior toneuromodulation. In certain embodiments, the baseline value is based onsympathetic nerve activity immediately prior to treatment (e.g., afterthe subject has already been catheterized). Alternatively, a baselinevalue may be derived from a standard value for sympathetic nerveactivity observed across the population as a whole or across aparticular subpopulation. In certain embodiments, post-neuromodulationsympathetic nerve activity levels are measured in extended timeframespost-neuromodulation, e.g., 3 months, 6 months, 12 months or 24 monthspost-neuromodulation.

In certain embodiments of the methods provided herein, the methods aredesigned to decrease sympathetic nerve activity to a target level. Inthese embodiments, the methods include a step of measuring sympatheticnerve activity levels post-neuromodulation (e.g., 6 monthspost-treatment, 12 months post-treatment, etc.) and comparing theresultant activity level to a baseline activity level as discussedabove. In certain of these embodiments, the treatment is repeated untilthe target sympathetic nerve activity level is reached. In otherembodiments, the methods are simply designed to decrease sympatheticnerve activity below a baseline level without requiring a particulartarget activity level.

In one embodiment, measured norepinephrine content (e.g., assessed viatissue biopsy, assessed in real-time via intravascular blood collectiontechniques, assessed in real-time via urine, etc.) can be reduced (e.g.,at least about 5%, 10%, 20% or by at least 40%) in the patient within,for example, about three months after at least partially inhibitingsympathetic neural activity in nerves proximate a renal blood vessel.

In one embodiment, renal neuromodulation may be performed on a patienthaving one or more risk factors or symptoms associated with an anxietydisorder to improve the physiological state of at least one of theanxiety disorder risk factors. In some embodiments, for example, renalneuromodulation may result in a reduction in a patient's heart rateunder stress, may raise heart rate variability, lower a MSBP, lower anocturnal blood pressure level, reduce systolic blood pressure, reduceblood pressure variability, increase baroreceptor sensitivity, lowerskin conductance, reduce a serum level of an inflammatory biomarker, orreduce a level of insulin resistance. In a particular example, a patienthaving an anxiety disorder and decreased heart rate variability (e.g.,SDNN <50 ms) may have heart rate variability within a normal range(e.g., SDNN >50 ms) after a neuromodulation procedure. In a furtherexample, a reduction in MSBP can be, for example, by at least about 5%,10% or a greater amount as determined by average ambulatory bloodpressure analysis before and after (e.g., 1, 3, 6, or 12 months after) arenal neuromodulation procedure. Likewise, and in yet a further example,a reduction in nocturnal blood pressure level can be, for example, by atleast about 5%, 10%, or a greater amount as determined by averageambulatory blood pressure analysis before and after (e.g., 1, 3, 6, or12 months after) a renal neuromodulation procedure.

In the case of systemic inflammation and/or a patient having elevatedserum levels of inflammatory biomarkers, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-2, TNF-α and/orCRP, renal neuromodulation may improve (e.g., reduce a level of) markersof inflammation (e.g., IL-6, IL-1β, IL-2, TNF-α, CRP), and in someembodiments, provide a reduction in biomarker level, for example, byabout 5%, 10%, 25%, 45% or a greater amount as determined by bloodanalysis before and after (e.g., 1, 3, 6, or 12 months after) a renalneuromodulation procedure. In an example where the patient has elevatedcortisol levels, elevated CRH levels, and/or glucocorticoid resistance,renal neuromodulation may improve (e.g., reduce a level of) cortisollevels, CRH levels, and/or glucocorticoid resistance by about 5%, about10%, about 20% or greater amount as determined by quantitative analysis(e.g., dexamethasone binding assay, dexamethasone suppression test,radioimmunoassay, CRH stimulation test, etc.). In other embodiments, andin particular afflicted patients, renal neuromodulation may increasearteriole blood flow, reduce a level of atherosclerosis, or reduce adegree of arterial stiffening in the patient by about 5%, 10% or agreater amount as determined by qualitative or quantitative analysis(e.g., computerized tomography (CT) scan, pulse wave velocity (PWV)analysis, angiography, etc.) before and after (e.g., 1, 3, 6, or 12months after) a renal neuromodulation procedure.

In another embodiment, renal neuromodulation may be performed on apatient having a calculated anxiety disorder risk score associated withan anxiety disorder status in the patient that is above a thresholdanxiety disorder risk score. Renal neuromodulation is expected totherapeutically improve the patient's anxiety disorder risk score andthereby reduce, diminish, reverse or eliminate the anxiety disorder inthe patient. In one embodiment, a threshold anxiety disorder risk scoremay be a theoretical risk score (e.g., based on population studies) thatrepresents a cut-off score for an anxiety disorder diagnosis. In otherembodiments, the threshold anxiety disorder risk score may be atheoretical risk score that represents an upper limit of acceptableseverity and/or acceptable risk of developing an anxiety disorder.

In a particular example, a patient may be assessed for a number offactors that have been previously determined to validate an anxietydisorder diagnosis and/or to carry risk for the development of ananxiety disorder (e.g., number or severity of core anxiety-associatedsymptoms, genetic/epigenetic factors, presence of sleep disturbances,number or duration of adverse life events or circumstances the patienthas experienced, number of prior traumatic events the patientexperienced, presence of abuse or neglect during childhood, gender,marital status, presence of personal or family history of anxietydisorders, depression or mental illness, absence of family and/or socialsupport, low heart rate variability, elevated cortisol levels, elevatedCAR, low NPY levels, baroreceptor sensitivity, blood pressure, MSBPlevels, nocturnal blood pressure levels, MSNA levels, body mass index,substance abuse/habits, etc.). Using an anxiety disorder risk scorecalculator tool (e.g., based on epidemiological data), a patient's riskscore can be assessed. For patients having a calculated anxiety disorderrisk score above the threshold anxiety disorder risk score (e.g.,signifying an undesirable level of symptom or disorder severity orprobability of having an anxiety disorder), a renal neuromodulationprocedure is performed. Renal neuromodulation may improve (e.g., lower,reverse, reduce a rate of increase over time, etc.) the patient'sanxiety disorder risk score. For example, following a renalneuromodulation procedure, a patient's calculated anxiety disorder riskscore may reduce (e.g., improve) by about by about 5%, about 10%, about15%, about 20%, about 25%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, about 75%,or a greater amount as determined by the anxiety disorder risk scorecalculator tool. Such improvements in a patient's anxiety disorder riskscore may be detected, for example 1, 3, 6, 12, or 24 months after arenal neuromodulation procedure. In certain embodiments, a thresholdrisk score can be variable depending on a number of factors includinggender, age, socioeconomic levels, geographical residence, etc. Forexample, a threshold risk score for a male patient can be greater than athreshold risk score for a female patient.

In addition to (or instead of) affecting one or more measurable riskfactors associated with an anxiety disorder or the development of ananxiety disorder, renal neuromodulation may efficaciously treat one ormore measurable physiological parameter(s) or sequela(e) correspondingto the progression or severity of an anxiety disorder in the patient.For example, in some embodiments, renal neuromodulation may result in animprovement (e.g., prevent further decline, maintain, or improve) in apatient's cognitive abilities and/or emotional/social functioningabilities as assessed by one or more accepted diagnostic test methods(e.g., screening tools, questionnaires, etc.) for identifying anxietydisorder risk, severity and diagnosis (e.g., GAD-7, BAI, ZungSelf-Rating Anxiety Scale, Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale HamiltonAnxiety Rating Scale, HADS, PHQ-ADS, PROMIS LSAS, SIAS, SPIN, SPS,SAQ-A30, and/or a VAS, etc.). In a specific embodiment, a patient mayimprove an anxiety screening test score, maintain an anxiety screeningtest score, or decrease a rate of decline (e.g., rate of anxietydisorder progression) in a test score over time following a renalneuromodulation procedure. Such improvements in a patient's cognitiveabilities and/or emotional/social functioning abilities may be detected,for example 1, 3, 6, or 12 months after a renal neuromodulationprocedure. In other embodiments, improvements are detected 2, 3, 4, 5 or10 years after a renal neuromodulation procedure. In some embodiments,an anxiety diagnostic test score can be improved by about 5%, about 10%,about 15%, about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, or about 75%. Inother embodiments, patients may report that daily activities are easierfollowing a neuromodulation procedure.

In another example, renal neuromodulation may efficaciously treat one ormore aspects of sleep disturbance associated with an anxiety disorder inthe patient. For example, a patient may have an improvement (e.g., areduction) in the number, the type and/or the duration of sleepdisturbances (e.g., number of nights of difficulty falling asleep,number of nights difficulty maintaining or staying asleep, duration oftime it takes to fall asleep, duration of night awake, number of timespatient wakes up during the night, etc.) following a renalneuromodulation procedure. Such improvements in a patient's sleeppatterns and/or sleep quality may be detected, for example 1, 3, 6, or12 months after a renal neuromodulation procedure. In other embodiments,improvements are detected 2 or 3 years after a renal neuromodulationprocedure. In some embodiments, the patient's sleep quality (e.g.,number of nights with sleep disturbance, time duration of sleepdisturbance, etc.) can be improved by about 5%, about 10%, about 15%,about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, or about 75% within 3 to 12months or within 3 to 6 months following a renal neuromodulationprocedure.

In a further example, renal neuromodulation may efficaciously treat oneor more aspects of anxiety-related symptoms in the patient. For example,a patient may have an improvement (e.g., a reduction) in the number, thetype, and/or the severity of anxiety-related symptoms (e.g., excessiveanxiety and worry, uncontrolled worrying, restlessness, fatigue,impaired concentration or mind going blank, irritability, increasedmuscle aches or soreness, and/or sleep disturbances (e.g., insomnia,hypersomnia, difficulty maintaining sleep, etc.)) following a renalneuromodulation procedure. Such improvements in a patient'sanxiety-related symptoms may be detected, for example, 1, 3, 6, or 12months after a renal neuromodulation procedure. In other embodiments,improvements are detected 2 or 3 years after a renal neuromodulationprocedure. In some embodiments, the level of anxiety-related symptoms(e.g., level of severity, number of anxiety-related symptoms, the numberof days the patient experiences anxiety-related symptoms within a loggedtime period, etc.) can be improved by about 5%, about 10%, about 15%,about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, or about 75% within, forexample, 3 to 12 months or within 3 to 6 months following a renalneuromodulation procedure. In some embodiments, the patient canexperience complete regression or full recovery from the anxiety-relatedsymptoms.

Renal neuromodulation may prevent or reduce an incidence of developingone or more comorbid conditions or diseases in a patient with an anxietydisorder. For example a patient with an anxiety disorder treated withrenal neuromodulation may have a decreased likelihood of developingpre-hypertension, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke risk,metabolic disorders, insulin resistance, diabetes, systemicinflammation, etc. In another embodiment, patients with an anxietydisorder having one or more comorbid conditions or diseases may have animprovement in (e.g., reduction, maintain a level, slow a rate ofprogression of) in the one or more comorbid conditions or diseases andassociated symptoms thereof. In a particular example, a pre-hypertensivepatient (e.g., systolic BP of 120-139 mmHg/diastolic BP of 80-89 mmHg)may have blood pressure below the pre-hypertensive range after a renalneuromodulation procedure. Likewise, a hypertensive patient (e.g.,systolic BP >140 mmHg/diastolic BP >90 mmHg) may have blood pressurebelow the hypertensive range after a renal neuromodulation procedure.Corresponding results may be obtained with angiotensin II levels, plasmaaldosterone concentration, plasma renin activity, and/oraldosterone-to-renin ratio. For example, a reduction in analdosterone-to-renin ratio can be, for example, by at least about 5%,10% or a greater amount (e.g., about 50%, about 80%, about 90%) asdetermined by blood analysis and calculation before and after (e.g., 1,3, 6, or 12 months after) a renal neuromodulation procedure.

Other measurable physiological parameters may also improve followingrenal neuromodulation. For example, a patient may have an improvement in(e.g., reduction, maintain a level of, slow a rate of progression of)atherosclerosis of extracranial and/or intracranial arteries, clinicalmeasurements of aortic and large-artery, small-vessel disease or otheralterations in small arteries providing physiological blood flow, neuralactivity (e.g., in the amygdala, ventromedial prefrontal cortex, dorsalanterior cingulate cortex, hippocampus and/or insular cortex or otherregions involved in the limbic system), and cerebral atrophy (e.g.,hippocampal volume reduction), following a renal neuromodulationprocedure as determined by qualitative or quantitative analysis (e.g.,CT scan, PWV analysis, angiography, MM, PET scan, etc.) before and after(e.g., 1, 3, 6, or 12 months after; 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10 years after) arenal neuromodulation procedure. In a particular example, hippocampalvolume can be increased (e.g., hippocampal growth) at least about 5%,about 10%, about 15%, about 20%, about 30%, or a greater amount in thepatient within about three months to about 12 months after at leastpartially inhibiting sympathetic neural activity in nerves proximate arenal artery of the kidney.

As discussed previously, the development of an anxiety disorder incertain individuals may be related to sympathetic overactivity eitherbefore (e.g., chronic or episodic), during (e.g., at the time of), orfollowing an adverse life event or circumstance, and, correspondingly,the degree of sympathoexcitation in a patient may be related to one ormore of the severity of the clinical presentation of an anxietydisorder, the number of traumatic events experienced by the patient,whether the patient has had adversity during childhood, number andduration of adverse life events or circumstances (e.g., triggeringpsychological stress responses), personal or family history of anxietydisorders, depression or mental illness, history of cardiovasculardisease or stroke, among other psychological, physiological andgenetic/epigenetic factors. The kidneys are positioned to be both acause (via afferent nerve fibers) and a target (via efferent sympatheticnerves) of elevated central sympathetic drive. In some embodiments,renal neuromodulation can be used to reduce central sympathetic drive ina patient demonstrating one or more risk factors for an anxiety disorderin a manner that treats the patient for an anxiety disorder and/or toprevent an incidence of an anxiety disorder in the patient in laterlife. In some embodiments, for example, MSNA can be reduced by at leastabout 10% in the patient within about three months after at leastpartially inhibiting sympathetic neural activity in nerves proximate arenal artery of the kidney. Similarly, in some instances whole bodynorepinephrine spillover to plasma can be reduced at least about 20%,about 30%, about 40%, about 45%, about 50% or a greater amount in thepatient within about three months to about 12 months after at leastpartially inhibiting sympathetic neural activity in nerves proximate arenal artery of the kidney. Additionally, measured norepinephrinecontent (e.g., assessed via renal biopsy, assessed in real-time viaintravascular blood collection techniques, assessed in real-time viaurine, etc.) can be reduced (e.g., at least about 5%, 10%, or by atleast 20%) in the patient within about three months after at leastpartially inhibiting sympathetic neural activity in nerves proximate arenal artery innervating the kidney.

In one prophetic example, a patient having one or more suspected riskfactors for an anxiety disorder and/or the development of an anxietydisorder can be subjected to a baseline assessment indicating a firstset of measurable parameters corresponding to the one or more riskfactors. Such parameters can include, for example, levels of centralsympathetic drive (e.g., MSNA, whole body norepinephrine spillover),measured norepinephrine content (e.g., assessed via tissue biopsy,plasma or urine), blood pressure, 24-hour blood pressure variability,heart rate variability, baroreceptor sensitivity, heart rate duringstress/stimuli, skin conductance, glucocorticoid levels (e.g., in hair,urine, plasma, etc.), glucocorticoid resistance, CAR level, NPY level,CRH level, inflammatory biomarker levels (e.g., IL-6, CRP, etc.),cholesterol levels, blood glucose levels, fasting blood insulin levels,measures of insulin sensitivity, body mass index, perceived cognitivefunctioning level (e.g., self-reporting, third-party reporting, etc.),one or more brain function test scores, and brain/body imaging forvascular remodeling (e.g., arteriole stiffness, arterial blood flow)and/or brain structural alterations (e.g., atrophy, neural activity,etc.). Following baseline assessment, the patient can be subjected to arenal neuromodulation procedure. Such a procedure can, for example,include any of the treatment modalities described herein or anothertreatment modality in accordance with the present technology. Thetreatment can be performed on nerves proximate one or both kidneys ofthe patient. Following the treatment (e.g., 1, 3, 6, or 12 monthsfollowing the treatment; 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10 years following thetreatment), the patient can be subjected to a follow-up assessment. Thefollow-up assessment can indicate a measurable improvement in one ormore physiological parameters corresponding to the one or more suspectedrisk factors for the anxiety disorder or the development of an anxietydisorder.

The methods described herein address the sympathetic excess that isthought to be an underlying factor in anxiety disorder progression or acentral mechanism through which multiple anxiety disorder risk factorsare manifest in patients. Currently, there are no therapies prescribedto address the effects of sympathetic excess in patients suspected ofhaving an anxiety disorder or a risk of developing an anxiety disorder.Certain proposed therapies, such as lifestyle alterations (e.g.,exercise, diet, alcohol and other substance/drug avoidance, etc.),cognitive behavioral therapy, blood pressure maintenance (e.g.,administration of anti-hypertensive therapies), anti-anxiety and/oranti-depression medications, and reduction and/or maintenance ofcholesterol have significant limitations including limited efficacy,undesirable side effects and may be subject to adverse or undesirabledrug interactions when used in combination. Moreover, use of any drugregimens (e.g., anti-anxiety, antidepressant, anti-hypertensive,cholesterol-lowering, anti-inflammatory, etc.) can have many challenges,including drug contraindications and drug adherence (particularly priorto onset of symptoms). For example, many of these drug regimens mayrequire the patient to remain compliant with the treatment regimenstarting in early life (e.g., prior to on-set of an anxiety disorderdiagnosis) and continue compliance over time. In contrast,neuromodulation can be a one-time or otherwise limited treatment thatwould be expected to have durable benefits to treat anxiety disorders,reduce severity of an anxiety disorder and/or inhibit the long-termpotential of developing an anxiety disorder and thereby achieve afavorable patient outcome.

In some embodiments, patients demonstrating one or more risk factorsassociated with an anxiety disorder or the development of an anxietydisorder and/or have one or more physiological indicators of sympatheticexcess (e.g., combined with additional risk factors) can be treated withrenal neuromodulation alone. However, in other embodiments, combinationsof therapies can be tailored based on specific conditions and anxietydisorder risk factors in a particular patient. For example, certainpatients can be treated with combinations of therapies such as one ormore conventional therapies for treating an anxiety disorder ordepression, for treating sleep disorders, and/or reducing blood pressure(e.g., anti-hypertensive drug(s)) and treated with one or moreneuromodulation treatments. In another example, renal neuromodulationcan be combined with cholesterol lowering agents (e.g., statins),anti-inflammatory therapy (e.g., drug(s)), as well as weight loss andlifestyle change recommendations/programs. In certain embodiments, apatient being treated with one or more pharmaceutical drugs for anxietyand/or conditions associated with an anxiety disorder can be treatedwith renal neuromodulation to reduce at least one of a number of or ameasured dosage of the pharmaceutical drugs administered to the patient.

Treatment of anxiety disorder risk factors or symptoms and conditionsassociated with an anxiety disorder may refer to preventing thecondition, slowing the onset or rate of development of the condition,reducing the risk of developing the condition, preventing or delayingthe development of symptoms associated with the condition, reducing orending symptoms associated with the condition, generating a complete orpartial regression of the condition, or some combination thereof.

IV. SELECTED EXAMPLES OF NEUROMODULATION MODALITIES

As noted previously, complete or partial neuromodulation of a targetrenal sympathetic nerve in accordance with embodiments of the presenttechnology can be electrically-induced, thermally-induced,chemically-induced, or induced in another suitable manner or combinationof manners at one or more suitable locations along one or more renalblood vessels during a treatment procedure. For example, neuromodulationmay be achieved using various modalities, including for examplemonopolar or bipolar RF energy, pulsed RF energy, microwave energy,laser light or optical energy, magnetic energy, ultrasound energy (e.g.,intravascularly delivered ultrasound, extracorporeal ultrasound,high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)), direct heat energy, radiation(e.g., infrared, visible, gamma), or cryotherapeutic energy, chemicals(e.g., drugs or other agents), or combinations thereof. Where a systemuses a monopolar configuration, a return electrode or ground patch fixedexternally on the subject can be used. In certain embodiments,neuromodulation may utilize one or more devices including, for example,catheter devices such as the Symplicity Spyral™ catheter (Medtronic,Inc.). Other suitable thermal devices are described in U.S. Pat. No.7,653,438, U.S. Pat. No. 8,347,891, and U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/279,205, filed Oct. 21, 2011. Other suitable devices and technologiesare described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/279,330, filed Oct.23, 2011, International Patent Application No. PCT/US2015/021835, filedMar. 20, 2015, and International Patent Application No.PCT/US2015/013029, filed Jan. 27, 2015. Further, electrodes (or otherenergy delivery elements) can be used alone or with other electrodes ina multi-electrode array. Examples of suitable multi-electrode devicesare described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/281,360, filed Oct.25, 2011, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,888,773. Other examples of suitable directheat devices are described in International Patent Application No.PCT/US2014/023738 filed Mar. 11, 2014, and U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/203,933, filed Mar. 11, 2014. All of the foregoing patentreferences are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

In those embodiments of the methods disclosed herein that utilizepartial ablation, the level of energy delivered to the target artery andsurrounding tissue may be different than the level that is normallydelivered for complete neuromodulation. For example, partialneuromodulation using RF energy may use alternate algorithms ordifferent power levels than RF energy for complete neuromodulation.Alternatively, partial neuromodulation methods may utilize the samelevel of energy, but delivered to a different depth within the tissue orto a more limited area. In certain embodiments, partial neuromodulationmay be achieved using a device that differs from a device used forcomplete neuromodulation. In certain embodiments, a particular treatmentor energy modality may be more suitable for partial neuromodulation thanother treatment or energy modalities. In some embodiments,neuromodulation may be achieved using one or more chemical agents, suchas by drug delivery. In those embodiments that utilize partialneuromodulation, the methods may utilize the same devices and/or drugdelivery systems used for complete neuromodulation, or they may usecompletely different devices for energy and/or drug delivery.

Thermal effects can include both thermal ablation and non-ablativethermal alteration or damage (e.g., via sustained heating and/orresistive heating) to partially or completely disrupt the ability of anerve to transmit a signal. Such thermal effects can include the heatingeffects associated with electrode-based or transducer-based treatment.For example, a treatment procedure can include raising the temperatureof target neural fibers to a target temperature above a first thresholdto achieve non-ablative alteration, or above a second, higher thresholdto achieve ablation. In some embodiments, the target temperature can behigher than about body temperature (e.g., about 37° C.) but less thanabout 45° C. for non-ablative alteration, and the target temperature canbe higher than about 45° C. for ablation. More specifically, heatingtissue to a temperature between about body temperature and about 45° C.can induce non-ablative alteration, for example, via moderate heating oftarget neural fibers or vascular/luminal structures that perfuse thetarget neural fibers. In cases where vascular structures are affected,the target neural fibers can be denied perfusion resulting in necrosisof the neural tissue. For example, this may induce non-ablative thermalalteration in the fibers or structures. Heating tissue to a targettemperature higher than about 45° C. (e.g., higher than about 60° C.)can induce ablation, for example, via substantial heating of targetneural fibers or of vascular or luminal structures that perfuse thetarget fibers. In some patients, it can be desirable to heat tissue totemperatures that are sufficient to ablate the target neural fibers orthe vascular or luminal structures, but that are less than about 90° C.,e.g., less than about 85° C., less than about 80° C., or less than about75° C. Other embodiments can include heating tissue to a variety ofother suitable temperatures.

In some embodiments, complete or partial neuromodulation of a renalsympathetic nerve can include an electrode-based or transducer-basedtreatment modality alone or in combination with another treatmentmodality. Electrode-based or transducer-based treatment can includedelivering electricity and/or another form of energy to tissue at atreatment location to stimulate and/or heat the tissue in a manner thatmodulates neural function. For example, sufficiently stimulating and/orheating at least a portion of a sympathetic nerve can slow orpotentially block conduction of neural signals to produce a prolonged orpermanent reduction in sympathetic activity. A variety of suitable typesof energy, such as those mentioned above, can be used to stimulateand/or heat tissue at a treatment location. In some embodiments,neuromodulation can be conducted in conjunction with one or more othertissue modulation procedures. An element, transducer, or electrode usedto deliver this energy can be used alone or with other elements,transducers, or electrodes in a multi-element array. Furthermore, theenergy can be applied from within the body (e.g., within the vasculatureor other body lumens in a catheter-based approach or outside thevasculature using, for example, a Natural Orifice TransluminalEndoscopic Surgery or NOTES procedure) and/or from outside the body,e.g., via an applicator positioned outside the body. In someembodiments, energy can be used to reduce damage to non-targeted tissuewhen targeted tissue adjacent to the non-targeted tissue is subjected toneuromodulating cooling.

As an alternative to or in conjunction with electrode-based ortransducer-based approaches, other suitable energy delivery techniques,such as a cryotherapeutic treatment modality, can be used for achievingtherapeutically-effective neuromodulation of a target sympathetic nerve.For example, cryotherapeutic treatment can include cooling tissue at atreatment location in a manner that modulates neural function. Forexample, sufficiently cooling at least a portion of a target sympatheticnerve can slow or potentially block conduction of neural signals toproduce a prolonged or permanent reduction in sympathetic activityassociated with the target sympathetic nerve. This effect can occur as aresult of cryotherapeutic tissue damage, which can include, for example,direct cell injury (e.g., necrosis), vascular or luminal injury (e.g.,starving cells from nutrients by damaging supplying blood vessels),and/or sublethal hypothermia with subsequent apoptosis. Exposure tocryotherapeutic cooling can cause acute cell death (e.g., immediatelyafter exposure) and/or delayed cell death, e.g., during tissue thawingand subsequent hyperperfusion.

Neuromodulation using a cryotherapeutic treatment in accordance withembodiments of the present technology can include cooling a structureproximate an inner surface of a vessel or chamber wall such that tissueis effectively cooled to a depth where sympathetic nerves reside. Forexample, a cooling assembly of a cryotherapeutic device can be cooled tothe extent that it causes therapeutically-effective, cryogenicneuromodulation. In some embodiments, a cryotherapeutic treatmentmodality can include cooling that is not configured to causeneuromodulation. For example, the cooling can be at or above cryogenictemperatures and can be used to control neuromodulation via anothertreatment modality, e.g., to protect tissue from neuromodulating energy.Other suitable cryotherapeutic devices are described, for example, inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/279,330, filed Oct. 23, 2011, andincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Cryotherapeutic treatment can be beneficial in certain embodiments. Forexample, rapidly cooling tissue can provide an analgesic effect suchthat cryotherapeutic treatment can be less painful than other treatmentmodalities. Neuromodulation using cryotherapeutic treatment cantherefore require less analgesic medication to maintain patient comfortduring a treatment procedure compared to neuromodulation using othertreatment modalities. Additionally, reducing pain can reduce patientmovement and thereby increase operator success and/or reduce proceduralcomplications. Cryogenic cooling also typically does not causesignificant collagen tightening, and therefore is not typicallyassociated with vessel stenosis. In some embodiments, cryotherapeutictreatment can include cooling at temperatures that can cause therapeuticelements to adhere to moist tissue. This can be beneficial because itcan promote stable, consistent, and continued contact during treatment.The typical conditions of treatment can make this an attractive featurebecause, for example, patients can move during treatment, cathetersassociated with therapeutic elements can move, and/or respiration cancause organs and tissues to rise and fall and thereby move the arteriesand other structures associated with these organs and tissues. Inaddition, blood flow is pulsatile and can cause structures associatedwith the kidneys to pulse. Cryogenic adhesion also can facilitateintravascular or intraluminal positioning, particularly inrelatively-small structures (e.g., renal branch arteries) in whichstable intravascular or intraluminal positioning can be difficult toachieve.

The use of ultrasound energy can be beneficial in certain embodiments.Focused ultrasound is an example of a transducer-based treatmentmodality that can be delivered from outside the body (i.e.,extracorporeal). In some embodiments, focused ultrasound treatment canbe performed in close association with imaging, e.g., magneticresonance, computed tomography, fluoroscopy, ultrasound (e.g.,intravascular or intraluminal), optical coherence tomography, or anothersuitable imaging modality. For example, imaging can be used to identifyan anatomical position of a treatment location, e.g., as a set ofcoordinates relative to a reference point. The coordinates can then beentered into a focused ultrasound device configured to change thedistance from source to target, power, angle, phase, or other suitableparameters to generate an ultrasound focal zone at the locationcorresponding to the coordinates. In some embodiments, the focal zonecan be small enough to localize therapeutically-effective heating at thetreatment location while partially or fully avoiding potentially harmfuldisruption of nearby structures. To generate the focal zone, theultrasound device can be configured to pass ultrasound energy through alens, and/or the ultrasound energy can be generated by a curvedtransducer or by multiple transducers in a phased array (curved orstraight). In certain embodiments, the ultrasound device may be acatheter device with an ultrasound transducer or an array of ultrasoundtransducers on its distal tip. In other embodiments the ultrasounddevice may comprise a cylindrical transducer. In certain embodimentswherein the ultrasound device is being used to perform partial ablation,the device may include discrete and/or forward-facing transducers thatcan be rotated and inserted at specific conditions, thereby allowing formore discrete lesion formation. In other embodiments, however, theextracorporeal and/or intravascular ultrasound devices may havedifferent arrangements and/or different features.

In some embodiments, neuromodulation can be effected using achemical-based treatment modality alone or in combination with anothertreatment modality. Neuromodulation using chemical-based treatment caninclude delivering one or more chemicals (e.g., drugs or other agents)to tissue at a treatment location in a manner that modulates neuralfunction. The chemical, for example, can be selected to affect thetreatment location generally or to selectively affect some structures atthe treatment location over other structures. In some embodiments, thechemical can be guanethidine, vincristine, ethanol, phenol, aneurotoxin, or another suitable agent selected to alter, damage, ordisrupt nerves. In some embodiments, energy (e.g., light, ultrasound, oranother suitable type of energy) can be used to activate the chemicaland/or to cause the chemical to become more bioavailable. A variety ofsuitable techniques can be used to deliver chemicals to tissue at atreatment location. For example, chemicals can be delivered via one ormore needles originating outside the body or within the vasculature orother body lumens (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,978,174, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety). In anintravascular example, a catheter can be used to intravascularlyposition a therapeutic element including a plurality of needles (e.g.,micro-needles) that can be retracted or otherwise blocked prior todeployment. In other embodiments, a chemical can be introduced intotissue at a treatment location via simple diffusion through a vesselwall, electrophoresis, or another suitable mechanism. Similar techniquescan be used to introduce chemicals that are not configured to causeneuromodulation, but rather to facilitate neuromodulation via anothertreatment modality. Examples of such chemicals include, but are notlimited to, anesthetic agents and contrast agents.

Renal neuromodulation in conjunction with the methods and devicesdisclosed herein may be carried out at a location proximate (e.g., at ornear) a vessel or chamber wall (e.g., a wall of a renal artery, one ormore branch vessels from the renal artery, a ureter, a renal pelvis, amajor renal calyx, a minor renal calyx, and/or another suitablestructure), and the treated tissue can include tissue proximate thetreatment location. For example, with regard to a renal artery, atreatment procedure can include modulating nerves in the renal plexus,which lay intimately within or adjacent to the adventitia of the renalartery.

In certain embodiments, monitoring, assessing and/or determiningneuromodulation efficacy can be accomplished by detecting changes in thelevel of one or more surrogate biomarkers (e.g., a biomarker thatdirectly or indirectly correlates with sympathetic nerve activity in thepatient, a biomarker that directly or indirectly correlates withhypertension, arterial stiffness and/or an inflammatory response in thepatient) in serum, plasma and/or urine in response to neuromodulation.Systems and method for monitoring the efficacy of neuromodulation bymeasuring the levels of one or more biomarkers associated withneuromodulation including, for example, proteins or non-proteinmolecules that exhibit an increase or decrease in level or activity inresponse to neuromodulation are described in, e.g., International PatentApplication No. PCT/US2013/030041, filed Mar. 8, 2013, and InternationalPatent Application No. PCT/US2015/047568, filed Aug. 28, 2015, thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties. In other embodiments, measured levels of protein ornon-protein molecules (e.g., associated with norepinephrine spillover,associated with inflammatory responses, etc.) that exhibit an increaseor decrease in level or activity in response to targeted neuromodulationcan be assessed pre- and post-neuromodulation in tissue biopsies.

V. SELECTED EMBODIMENTS OF RENAL NEUROMODULATION SYSTEMS AND DEVICES

FIG. 5 illustrates a renal neuromodulation system 10 configured inaccordance with an embodiment of the present technology. The system 10,for example, may be used to perform therapeutically-effective renalneuromodulation on a patient (a) to reduce the risk of occurrence of ananxiety disorder, (b) to reduce a calculated anxiety disorder risk scorecorresponding to an anxiety disorder status, (c) to reduce a severity ofneurological symptoms relating to an anxiety disorder, and/or (d) totreat and/or prevent development of one or more comorbidconditions/diseases associated with an anxiety disorder (e.g.,hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke risk, metabolic disorders,insulin resistance, diabetes, systemic inflammation, etc.). In oneembodiment, the patient may be diagnosed with increased overallsympathetic activity, and, in particular, conditions associated withcentral sympathetic overstimulation and increased risk of developing ananxiety disorder, such as hypertension, blood pressure variability,systemic inflammation, sleep disorders, depression, cardiovasculardisease, history of stroke or TIA, obesity, metabolic syndrome, insulinresistance and diabetes, among others.

The system 10 includes an intravascular treatment device 12 operablycoupled to an energy source or console 26 (e.g., a RF energy generator,a cryotherapy console). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the treatmentdevice 12 (e.g., a catheter) includes an elongated shaft 16 having aproximal portion 18, a handle 34 at a proximal region of the proximalportion 18, and a distal portion 20 extending distally relative to theproximal portion 18. The treatment device 12 further includes aneuromodulation assembly or treatment section 21 at the distal portion20 of the shaft 16. The neuromodulation assembly 21 can be configured toablate nerve tissue and/or for monitoring one or more physiologicalparameters within the vasculature. Accordingly, a neuromodulationassembly 21 suitable for ablation may include one or more electrodes,transducers, energy-delivery elements or cryotherapeutic coolingassemblies. Neuromodulation assemblies 21 suitable for monitoring mayalso include a nerve monitoring device and/or blood collection/analysisdevice. In some embodiments, the neuromodulation assembly 21 can beconfigured to be delivered to a renal blood vessel (e.g., a renalartery) in a low-profile configuration.

In one embodiment, for example, the neuromodulation assembly 21 caninclude a single electrode. In other embodiments, the neuromodulationassembly 21 may comprise a basket and a plurality of electrodes carriedby the basket. The electrodes on the basket may be spaced apart fromeach other such that each electrode is approximately 90° apart from aneighboring electrode. In yet another embodiment, the neuromodulationassembly 21 can include a balloon and a plurality of bipolar electrodescarried by the balloon. In still another embodiment, the neuromodulationassembly 21 has a plurality of electrodes arranged along an elongatedmember transformable between a low-profile, delivery configuration(e.g., contained in a delivery catheter) and an expanded, deployedconfiguration in which the elongated member has a helical/spiral shape.In further embodiments, the neuromodulation assembly 21 can include oneor more electrodes configured to deliver ablation energy and/orstimulation energy. In some arrangements, the neuromodulation assembly21 can include one or more sensor(s) for detecting impedance or nervemonitoring signals. In any of the foregoing embodiments, theneuromodulation assembly 21 may comprise an irrigated electrode.

Upon delivery to a target treatment site within a renal blood vessel,the neuromodulation assembly 21 can be further configured to be deployedinto a treatment state or arrangement for delivering energy at thetreatment site and providing therapeutically-effectiveelectrically-induced and/or thermally-induced renal neuromodulation. Insome embodiments, the neuromodulation assembly 21 may be placed ortransformed into the deployed state or arrangement via remote actuation,e.g., via an actuator 36, such as a knob, pin, or lever carried by thehandle 34. In other embodiments, however, the neuromodulation assembly21 may be transformed between the delivery and deployed states usingother suitable mechanisms or techniques.

The proximal end of the neuromodulation assembly 21 can be carried by oraffixed to the distal portion 20 of the elongated shaft 16. A distal endof the neuromodulation assembly 21 may terminate with, for example, anatraumatic rounded tip or cap. Alternatively, the distal end of theneuromodulation assembly 21 may be configured to engage another elementof the system 10 or treatment device 12. For example, the distal end ofthe neuromodulation assembly 21 may define a passageway for engaging aguide wire (not shown) for delivery of the treatment device usingover-the-wire (“OTW”) or rapid exchange (“RX”) techniques. The treatmentdevice 12 can also be a steerable or non-steerable catheter device(e.g., a guide catheter) configured for use without a guide wire. Bodylumens (e.g., ducts or internal chambers) can be treated, for example,by non-percutaneously passing the shaft 16 and neuromodulation assembly21 through externally accessible passages of the body or other suitablemethods.

The console 26 can be configured to generate a selected form andmagnitude of energy for delivery to the target treatment site via theneuromodulation assembly 21. A control mechanism, such as a foot pedal32, may be connected (e.g., pneumatically connected or electricallyconnected) to the console 26 to allow an operator to initiate, terminateand, optionally, adjust various operational characteristics of theconsole 26, including, but not limited to, power delivery. The system 10may also include a remote control device (not shown) that can bepositioned in a sterile field and operably coupled to theneuromodulation assembly 21. The remote control device can be configuredto allow for selective activation of the neuromodulation assembly 21. Inother embodiments, the remote control device may be built into thehandle assembly 34. The console 26 can be configured to deliver thetreatment energy via an automated control algorithm 30 and/or under thecontrol of the clinician. In addition, the console 26 may include one ormore evaluation and/or feedback algorithms 31 to provide feedback to theclinician before, during, and/or after therapy.

The console 26 can further include a device or monitor that may includeprocessing circuitry, such as a microprocessor, and a display 33. Theprocessing circuitry may be configured to execute stored instructionsrelating to the control algorithm 30. The console 26 may be configuredto communicate with the treatment device 12 (e.g., via a cable 28) tocontrol the neuromodulation assembly and/or to send signals to orreceive signals from the nerve monitoring device. The display 33 may beconfigured to provide indications of power levels or sensor data, suchas audio, visual or other indications, or may be configured tocommunicate information to another device. For example, the console 26may also be configured to be operably coupled to a catheter lab screenor system for displaying treatment information, such as nerve activitybefore and/or after treatment.

In certain embodiments, a neuromodulation device for use in the methodsdisclosed herein may combine two or more energy modalities. For example,the device may include both a hyperthermic source of ablative energy anda hypothermic source, making it capable of, for example, performing bothRF neuromodulation and cryo-neuromodulation. The distal end of thetreatment device may be straight (for example, a focal catheter),expandable (for example, an expanding mesh or balloon), or have anyother configuration. For example, the distal end of the treatment devicecan be at least partially helical/spiral in the deployed state.Additionally or alternatively, the treatment device may be configured tocarry out one or more non-ablative neuromodulatory techniques. Forexample, the device may comprise a means for diffusing a drug orpharmaceutical compound at the target treatment area (e.g., a distalspray nozzle).

VI. SELECTED EXAMPLES OF TREATMENT PROCEDURES FOR RENAL NEUROMODULATION

A. Achieving Intravascular Access to the Renal Artery

In accordance with the present technology, neuromodulation of a leftand/or right renal plexus RP, which is intimately associated with a leftand/or right renal artery, may be achieved through intravascular access.As FIG. 6A shows, blood moved by contractions of the heart is conveyedfrom the left ventricle of the heart by the aorta. The aorta descendsthrough the thorax and branches into the left and right renal arteries.Below the renal arteries, the aorta bifurcates at the left and rightiliac arteries. The left and right iliac arteries descend, respectively,through the left and right legs and join the left and right femoralarteries.

As FIG. 6B shows, the blood collects in veins and returns to the heart,through the femoral veins into the iliac veins and into the inferiorvena cava. The inferior vena cava branches into the left and right renalveins. Above the renal veins, the inferior vena cava ascends to conveyblood into the right atrium of the heart. From the right atrium, theblood is pumped through the right ventricle into the lungs, where it isoxygenated. From the lungs, the oxygenated blood is conveyed into theleft atrium. From the left atrium, the oxygenated blood is conveyed bythe left ventricle back to the aorta.

As will be described in greater detail later, the femoral artery may beaccessed and cannulated at the base of the femoral triangle justinferior to the midpoint of the inguinal ligament. A catheter may beinserted percutaneously into the femoral artery through this accesssite, passed through the iliac artery and aorta, and placed into eitherthe left or right renal artery. This route comprises an intravascularpath that offers minimally invasive access to a respective renal arteryand/or other renal blood vessels.

The wrist, upper arm, and shoulder region provide other locations forintroduction of catheters into the arterial system. For example,catheterization of either the radial, brachial, or axillary artery maybe utilized in select cases. Catheters introduced via these accesspoints may be passed through the subclavian artery on the left side (orvia the subclavian and brachiocephalic arteries on the right side),through the aortic arch, down the descending aorta and into the renalarteries using standard angiographic technique.

B. Properties and Characteristics of the Renal Vasculature

Properties and characteristics of the renal vasculature imposechallenges to both access and treatment methods, and to system/devicedesigns. Since neuromodulation of a left and/or right renal plexus RPmay be achieved in accordance with embodiments of the present technologythrough intravascular access, various aspects of the design ofapparatus, systems, and methods for achieving such renal neuromodulationare disclosed herein. Aspects of the technology disclosed herein addressadditional challenges associated with variation of physiologicalconditions and architecture across the patient population and/or withina specific patient across time, as well as in response to diseasestates, such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, vascular disease, chronicinflammatory condition, insulin resistance, diabetes, metabolicsyndrome, etc. For example, the design of the intravascular device andtreatment protocols can address not only material/mechanical, spatial,fluid dynamic/hemodynamic and/or thermodynamic properties, but alsoprovide particular algorithms and feedback protocols for deliveringenergy and obtaining real-time confirmatory results of successfullydelivering energy to an intended target location in a patient-specificmanner.

As discussed previously, a catheter may be advanced percutaneously intoeither the left or right renal artery via a minimally invasiveintravascular path. However, minimally invasive renal arterial accessmay be challenging, for example, because as compared to some otherarteries that are routinely accessed using catheters, the renal arteriesare often extremely tortuous, may be of relatively small diameter,and/or may be of relatively short length. Furthermore, renal arterialatherosclerosis is common in many patients, particularly those withcardiovascular disease. Renal arterial anatomy also may varysignificantly from patient to patient, which further complicatesminimally invasive access. Significant inter-patient variation may beseen, for example, in relative tortuosity, diameter, length, and/oratherosclerotic plaque burden, as well as in the take-off angle at whicha renal artery branches from the aorta. Apparatus, systems and methodsfor achieving renal neuromodulation via intravascular access can accountfor these and other aspects of renal arterial anatomy and its variationacross the patient population when minimally invasively accessing arenal artery. For example, spiral or helical CT technology can be usedto produce 3D images of the vascular features for individual patients,and intravascular path choice as well as device size/diameter, length,flexibility, etc. can be selected based upon the patient's specificvascular features.

In addition to complicating renal arterial access, specifics of therenal anatomy also complicate establishment of stable contact betweenneuromodulatory apparatus and a luminal surface or wall of a renal bloodvessel. When the neuromodulatory apparatus includes an energy deliveryelement, such as an electrode, transducer, or a cryotherapeutic device,consistent positioning and appropriate contact force applied by theenergy or cryotherapy delivery element to the vessel wall, and adhesionbetween the applicator and the vessel wall can be important forpredictability. However, navigation can be impeded by the tight spacewithin a renal artery RA, as well as tortuosity of the artery.Furthermore, establishing consistent contact can be complicated bypatient movement, respiration, and/or the cardiac cycle because thesefactors may cause significant movement of the renal artery RA relativeto the aorta, and the cardiac cycle may transiently distend the renalartery RA (i.e., cause the wall of the artery to pulse). To addressthese challenges, the treatment device or applicator may be designedwith relative sizing and flexibility considerations. For example, therenal artery may have an internal diameter in a range of about 2-10 mmand the treatment device can be delivered using a 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 French,or in some cases, an 8 French sized catheter. To address challengesassociated with patient and/or arterial movement during treatment, thetreatment device and neuromodulation system can be configured to usesensory feedback, such as impedance and temperature, to detectinstability and to alert the operator to reposition the device and/or totemporarily stop treatment. In other embodiments, energy deliveryalgorithms can be varied in real-time to account for changes detecteddue to patient and/or arterial movement. In further examples, thetreatment device may include one or more modifications or movementresistant enhancements such as atraumatic friction knobs or barbs on anoutside surface of the device for resisting movement of the devicerelative to the desired tissue location, positionable balloons forinflating and holding the device in a consistent and stable positionduring treatment, or the device can include a cryogenic component thatcan temporarily freeze or adhere the device to the desired tissuelocation.

After accessing a renal artery and facilitating stable contact betweenneuromodulatory apparatus and a luminal surface of the artery, nerves inand around the adventitia of the artery can be modulated via theneuromodulatory apparatus. Effectively applying thermal treatment fromwithin a renal artery is non-trivial given the potential clinicalcomplications associated with such treatment. For example, the intimaand media of the renal artery are highly vulnerable to thermal injury.As discussed in greater detail below, the intima-media thicknessseparating the vessel lumen from its adventitia means that target renalnerves may be multiple millimeters distant (e.g., 1-3 mm) from theluminal surface of the artery. Sufficient energy can be delivered to orheat removed from the target renal nerves to modulate the target renalnerves without excessively cooling or heating the vessel wall to theextent that the wall is frozen, desiccated, or otherwise potentiallyaffected to an undesirable extent. For example, when employing energymodalities such as RF or ultrasound, energy delivery can be focused on alocation further from the interior vessel wall. In one embodiment, themajority of the RF or ultrasound energy can be focused on a location(e.g., a “hot spot”) 1-3 mm beyond the interior surface of the vesselwall. The energy will dissipate from the hot spot in a radiallydecreasing manner. Thus, the targeted nerves can be modulated withoutdamage to the luminal surface of the vessel. A potential clinicalcomplication associated with excessive heating is thrombus formationfrom coagulating blood flowing through the artery. Given that thisthrombus may cause a kidney infarct, thereby causing irreversible damageto the kidney, thermal treatment from within the renal artery RA can beapplied carefully. Accordingly, the complex fluid mechanics andthermodynamic conditions present in the renal artery during treatment,particularly those that may impact heat transfer dynamics at thetreatment site, may be important in applying energy (e.g., heatingthermal energy) and/or removing heat from the tissue (e.g., coolingthermal conditions) from within the renal artery. Accordingly, sensoryfeedback, such as impedance and temperature, can be used to assesswhether a desired energy distribution is administered at the treatmentsite and can, in some instances, be used to change an energy deliveryalgorithm in real-time to adjust for varying fluctuations in theproperties and conditions affecting heat transfer dynamics at thetreatment site.

The neuromodulatory apparatus can also be configured to allow foradjustable positioning and repositioning of an energy delivery elementor a cryotherapeutic device, within the renal artery since location oftreatment may also impact clinical efficacy. For example, it may betempting to apply a full circumferential treatment from within the renalartery given that the renal nerves may be spaced circumferentiallyaround a renal artery. In some situations, full-circle lesion likelyresulting from a continuous circumferential treatment may be potentiallyrelated to renal artery stenosis. Therefore, the formation of morecomplex lesions along a longitudinal dimension of the renal artery viathe cryotherapeutic devices or energy delivery elements and/orrepositioning of the neuromodulatory apparatus to multiple treatmentlocations may be desirable. It should be noted, however, that a benefitof creating a circumferential lesion or ablation may outweigh thepotential of renal artery stenosis or the risk may be mitigated withcertain embodiments or in certain patients and creating acircumferential lesion or ablation could be a goal. Additionally,variable positioning and repositioning of the neuromodulatory apparatusmay prove to be useful in circumstances where the renal artery isparticularly tortuous or where there are proximal branch vessels off therenal artery main vessel, making treatment in certain locationschallenging.

Blood flow through a renal artery may be temporarily occluded for ashort time with minimal or no complications. However, occlusion for asignificant amount of time can be avoided in some cases to preventinjury to the kidney such as ischemia. It can be beneficial to avoidocclusion altogether or, if occlusion is beneficial, to limit theduration of occlusion, for example to 2-5 minutes.

C. Neuromodulation of Renal Sympathetic Nerve at Treatment Site

FIG. 7 illustrates modulating renal nerves with an embodiment of thesystem 10 (FIG. 5). The treatment device 12 provides access to the renalplexus RP through an intravascular path P, such as a percutaneous accesssite in the femoral (illustrated), brachial, radial, or axillary arteryto a targeted treatment site within a respective renal artery RA. Asillustrated, a section of the proximal portion 18 of the shaft 16 isexposed externally of the patient. By manipulating the proximal portion18 of the shaft 16 from outside the intravascular path P, the clinicianmay advance the shaft 16 through the sometimes tortuous intravascularpath P and remotely manipulate the distal portion 20 of the shaft 16.Image guidance, e.g., CT, fluoroscopy, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS),optical coherence tomography (OCT), or another suitable guidancemodality, or combinations thereof, may be used to aid the clinician'smanipulation. Further, in some embodiments, image guidance components(e.g., IVUS, OCT) may be incorporated into the treatment device 12. Insome embodiments, the shaft 16 and the neuromodulation assembly 21 canbe 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 French or another suitable size. Furthermore, theshaft 16 and the neuromodulation assembly 21 can be partially or fullyradiopaque and/or can include radiopaque markers corresponding tomeasurements, e.g., every 5 cm.

After the neuromodulation assembly 21 is adequately positioned in therenal artery RA, it can be radially expanded or otherwise deployed usingthe handle 34 or other suitable control mechanism until theneuromodulation assembly is positioned at its target site and in stablecontact with the inner wall of the renal artery RA. The purposefulapplication of energy from the neuromodulation assembly can then beapplied to tissue to induce one or more desired neuromodulating effectson localized regions of the renal artery RA and adjacent regions of therenal plexus RP, which lay intimately within, adjacent to, or in closeproximity to the adventitia of the renal artery RA. The neuromodulatingeffects may include denervation, thermal ablation, and non-ablativethermal alteration or damage (e.g., via sustained heating and/orresistive heating). The purposeful application of the energy may achieveneuromodulation along all or at least a portion of the renal plexus RP.

In the deployed state, the neuromodulation assembly 21 can be configuredto contact an inner wall of a vessel of the renal vasculature and toform a suitable lesion or pattern of lesions without the need forrepositioning. For example, the neuromodulation assembly 21 can beconfigured to form a single lesion or a series of lesions, e.g.,overlapping and/or non-overlapping. In some embodiments, the lesion(s)(e.g., pattern of lesions) can extend around generally the entirecircumference of the vessel, but can still be non-circumferential atlongitudinal segments or zones along a lengthwise portion of the vessel.This can facilitate precise and efficient treatment with a lowpossibility of vessel stenosis. In other embodiments, theneuromodulation assembly 21 can be configured form apartially-circumferential lesion or a fully-circumferential lesion at asingle longitudinal segment or zone of the vessel. During treatment, theneuromodulation assembly 21 can be configured for partial or fullocclusion of a vessel. Partial occlusion can be useful, for example, toreduce ischemia, while full occlusion can be useful, for example, toreduce interference (e.g., warming or cooling) caused by blood flowthrough the treatment location. In some embodiments, the neuromodulationassembly 21 can be configured to cause therapeutically-effectiveneuromodulation (e.g., using ultrasound energy) without contacting avessel wall.

As mentioned previously, the methods disclosed herein may use a varietyof suitable energy modalities, including RF energy, pulsed RF energy,microwave energy, laser, optical energy, ultrasound energy (e.g.,intravascularly delivered ultrasound, extracorporeal ultrasound, HIFU),magnetic energy, direct heat, cryotherapy, radiation (e.g., infrared,visible, gamma), or a combination thereof. Alternatively or in additionto these techniques, the methods may utilize one or more non-ablativeneuromodulatory techniques. For example, the methods may utilizenon-ablative SNS neuromodulation by removal of target nerves (e.g.,surgically), injection of target nerves with a destructive drug orpharmaceutical compound, or treatment of the target nerves withnon-ablative energy modalities (e.g., laser or light energy). In certainembodiments, the amount of reduction of the sympathetic nerve activitymay vary depending on the specific technique being used.

In certain embodiments, a neuromodulation device for use in the methodsdisclosed herein may combine two or more energy modalities. For example,the device may include both a hyperthermic source of ablative energy anda hypothermic source, making it capable of, for example, performing bothRF neuromodulation and cryo-neuromodulation. The distal end of thetreatment device may be straight (for example, a focal catheter),expandable (for example, an expanding mesh or cryoballoon), or have anyother configuration. For example, the distal end of the treatment devicecan be at least partially helical/spiral in the deployed state.Additionally or alternatively, the treatment device may be configured tocarry out one or more non-ablative neuromodulatory techniques. Forexample, the device may comprise a means for diffusing a drug orpharmaceutical compound at the target treatment area (e.g., a distalspray nozzle).

Furthermore, a treatment procedure can include treatment at any suitablenumber of treatment locations, e.g., a single treatment location, twotreatment locations, or more than two treatment locations. In someembodiments, different treatment locations can correspond to differentportions of the renal artery RA, the renal vein, and/or other suitablestructures proximate tissue having relatively high concentrations ofrenal nerves. The shaft 16 can be steerable (e.g., via one or more pullwires, a steerable guide or sheath catheter, etc.) and can be configuredto move the neuromodulation assembly 21 between treatment locations. Ateach treatment location, the neuromodulation assembly 21 can beactivated to cause modulation of nerves proximate the treatmentlocation. Activating the neuromodulation assembly 21 can include, forexample, heating, cooling, stimulating, or applying another suitabletreatment modality at the treatment location.

Activating the neuromodulation assembly 21 can further include applyingvarious energy modalities at varying power levels, intensities and forvarious durations for achieving modulation of nerves proximate thetreatment location. In some embodiments, power levels, intensitiesand/or treatment duration can be determined and employed using variousalgorithms for ensuring modulation of nerves at select distances (e.g.,depths) away from the treatment location. Furthermore, as notedpreviously, in some embodiments, the neuromodulation assembly 21 can beconfigured to introduce (e.g., inject) a chemical (e.g., a drug or otheragent) into target tissue at the treatment location. Such chemicals oragents can be applied at various concentrations depending on treatmentlocation and the relative depth of the target nerves.

As discussed, the neuromodulation assembly 21 can be positioned at atreatment location within the renal artery RA, for example, via acatheterization path including a femoral artery and the aorta, oranother suitable catheterization path, e.g., a radial or brachialcatheterization path. Catheterization can be guided, for example, usingimaging, e.g., magnetic resonance, computed tomography, fluoroscopy,ultrasound, intravascular ultrasound, optical coherence tomography, oranother suitable imaging modality. The neuromodulation assembly 21 canbe configured to accommodate the anatomy of the renal artery RA, therenal vein, and/or another suitable structure. For example, theneuromodulation assembly 21 can include a balloon (not shown) configuredto inflate to a size generally corresponding to the internal size of therenal artery RA, the renal vein, and/or another suitable structure. Insome embodiments, the neuromodulation assembly 21 can be an implantabledevice and a treatment procedure can include locating theneuromodulation assembly 21 at the treatment location using the shaft 16fixing the neuromodulation assembly 21 at the treatment location,separating the neuromodulation assembly 21 from the shaft 16, andwithdrawing the shaft 16. Other treatment procedures for modulation ofrenal nerves in accordance with embodiments of the present technologyare also possible.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a method 800 of modulating renalnerves using the system 10 described above with reference to FIGS. 5 and7. With reference to FIGS. 5, 7 and 8 together, the method 800 canoptionally include selecting a suitable candidate patient having anidentifiable anxiety disorder risk factor for performing renalneuromodulation (block 802). For example, a suitable patient can includea patient having an anxiety disorder risk score corresponding to ananxiety disorder status in the patient that is above a threshold level,a patient having one or more measurable risk factors for developing ananxiety disorder, a patient having one or more identifiableanxiety-related symptoms during or following an adverse life event orcircumstance, a patient diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, an at-riskpatient having a history of an anxiety or other mood disorder and/or agenetic predisposition for developing an anxiety disorder, and/or apatient with history of cardiovascular disease or stroke and having oneor more identifiable risk factors for developing an anxiety disorder.

Modulating SNS nerves innervating the kidneys is expected to lower renalnerve activity and/or central SNS nerve activity, thereby inhibiting,preventing, slowing, disrupting or reversing physiological pathwaysassociated with anxiety disorders and/or lowering a risk associated withdeveloping an anxiety disorder in the patient either before or afteron-set of one or more anxiety-related symptoms. In particular, targetingthe renal nerve for neuromodulation is anticipated to reduce renalnorepinephrine spillover, whole body norepinephrine spillover, andreduce central sympathetic drive (e.g., reduce a level of efferent SNSnerve firing) in the patient, thereby inhibiting, preventing, slowing,disrupting or reversing an anxiety disorder and/or symptoms associatedwith an anxiety disorder and/or conditions proposed to increase apatient's risk of developing an anxiety disorder. Without being bound bytheory, renal neuromodulation is anticipated to address thehyperactivity of the SNS and/or the elevated SNS tone present inpatients with an anxiety disorder and/or patients having one or morerisk factors for developing an anxiety disorder. In other instances, andwithout being bound by theory, an overactive or hyperactive SNS isbelieved to be an underlying contributing cause of anxiety disorders andrenal neuromodulation is anticipated to prevent or prohibit thedevelopment of a hyperactive or overactive SNS in a patient prior to orsubsequent to experiencing an adverse life event or circumstance thatprecipitates, for example, excessive or chronic psychological stress.

The method 800 can include intravascularly locating the neuromodulationassembly 21 in a delivery state (e.g., low-profile configuration) to afirst target site in or near a first renal blood vessel (e.g., firstrenal artery) or first renal ostium (block 805). The treatment device 12and/or portions thereof (e.g., the neuromodulation assembly 21) can beinserted into a guide catheter or sheath to facilitate intravasculardelivery of the neuromodulation assembly 21. In certain embodiments, forexample, the treatment device 12 can be configured to fit within an 8 Frguide catheter or smaller (e.g., 7 Fr, 6 Fr, etc.) to access smallperipheral vessels. A guide wire (not shown) can be used to manipulateand enhance control of the shaft 16 and the neuromodulation assembly 21(e.g., in an OTW or a RX configuration). In some embodiments, radiopaquemarkers and/or markings on the treatment device 12 and/or the guide wirecan facilitate placement of the neuromodulation assembly 21 at the firsttarget site (e.g., a first renal artery or first renal ostium of thepatient). In some embodiments, a contrast material can be delivereddistally beyond the neuromodulation assembly 21, and fluoroscopy and/orother suitable imaging techniques can be used to aid in placement of theneuromodulation assembly 21 at the first target site.

The method 800 can further include connecting the treatment device 12 tothe console 26 (block 810), and determining whether the neuromodulationassembly 21 is in the correct position at the target site and/or whetherthe neuromodulation assembly (e.g., electrodes or cryotherapy balloon)is functioning properly (block 815). Once the neuromodulation assembly21 is properly located at the first target site and no malfunctions aredetected, the console 26 can be manipulated to initiate application ofan energy field to the target site to cause electrically-induced and/orthermally-induced partial or full denervation of the kidney (e.g., usingelectrodes or cryotherapeutic devices). Accordingly, heating and/orcooling of the neuromodulation assembly 21 causes modulation of renalnerves at the first target site to cause partial or full denervation ofthe kidney associated with the first target site (block 820).

In one example, the treatment device 12 can be an RF energy emittingdevice and RF energy can be delivered through energy delivery elementsor electrodes to one or more locations along the inner wall of the firstrenal blood vessel or first renal ostium for predetermined periods oftime (e.g., 120 seconds). In some embodiments, multiple treatments(e.g., 4-6) may be administered in both the left and right renal bloodvessels (e.g., renal arteries) to achieve a desired coverage and/ordesired inhibition of sympathetic neural activity in the body.

In some embodiments, a treatment procedure can include applying asuitable treatment modality at a treatment location in a testing step(not shown) followed by a treatment step. The testing step, for example,can include applying the treatment modality at a lower intensity and/orfor a shorter duration than during the treatment step. This can allow anoperator to determine (e.g., by neural activity sensors and/or patientfeedback) whether nerves proximate the treatment location are suitablefor modulation. Performing a testing step can be particularly useful fortreatment procedures in which targeted nerves are closely associatedwith nerves that could cause undesirable side effects if modulatedduring a subsequent treatment step.

A technical objective of a treatment may be, for example, to heat tissueto a desired depth (e.g., at least about 3 mm) to a temperature thatwould lesion a nerve (e.g., about 65° C.). A clinical objective of theprocedure typically is to treat (e.g., lesion) a sufficient number ofrenal nerves (either efferent or afferent nerves) to cause a reductionin sympathetic tone or drive to the kidneys. If the technical objectiveof a treatment is met (e.g., tissue is heated to about 65° C. to a depthof about 3 mm) the probability of forming a lesion of renal nerve tissueis high. The greater the number of technically successful treatments,the greater the probability of modulating a sufficient proportion ofrenal nerves, and thus the greater the probability of clinical success.

In a specific example of using RF energy for renal nerve modulation, aclinician can commence treatment which causes the control algorithm 30(FIG. 5) to initiate instructions to the generator (not shown) togradually adjust its power output to a first power level (e.g., 5 watts)over a first time period (e.g., 15 seconds). The power increase duringthe first time period is generally linear. As a result, the generatorincreases its power output at a generally constant rate of power/time.Alternatively, the power increase may be non-linear (e.g., exponentialor parabolic) with a variable rate of increase. Once the first powerlevel and the first time are achieved, the algorithm may hold at thefirst power level until a second predetermined period of time haselapsed (e.g., 3 seconds). At the conclusion of the second period oftime, power is again increased by a predetermined increment (e.g., 1watt) to a second power level over a third predetermined period of time(e.g., 1 second). This power ramp in predetermined increments of about 1watt over predetermined periods of time may continue until a maximumpower P_(MAX) is achieved or some other condition is satisfied. In oneembodiment, P_(MAX) is 8 watts. In another embodiment P_(MAX) is 10watts. Optionally, the power may be maintained at the maximum powerP_(MAX) for a desired period of time or up to the desired totaltreatment time (e.g., up to about 120 seconds).

In another specific example, the treatment device 12 can be a cryogenicdevice and cryogenic cooling can be applied for one or more cycles(e.g., for 30 second increments, 60 second increments, 90 secondincrements, etc.) in one or more locations along the circumferenceand/or length of the first renal artery or first renal ostium. Thecooling cycles can be, for example, fixed periods or can be fully orpartially dependent on detected temperatures (e.g., temperaturesdetected by a thermocouple (not shown) of the neuromodulation assembly21). In some embodiments, a first stage can include cooling tissue untila first target temperature is reached. A second stage can includemaintaining cooling for a set period, such as 15-180 seconds (e.g., 90seconds). A third stage can include terminating or decreasing cooling toallow the tissue to warm to a second target temperature higher than thefirst target temperature. A fourth stage can include continuing to allowthe tissue to warm for a set period, such as 10-120 seconds (e.g., 60seconds). A fifth stage can include cooling the tissue until the firsttarget temperature (or a different target temperature) is reached. Asixth stage can include maintaining cooling for a set period, such as15-180 seconds (e.g., 90 seconds). A seventh stage can, for example,include allowing the tissue to warm completely (e.g., to reach a bodytemperature).

The neuromodulation assembly 21 can then be located at a second targetsite in or near a second renal blood vessel (e.g., second renal artery)or second renal ostium (block 825), and correct positioning of theassembly 21 can be determined (block 830). In selected embodiments, acontrast material can be delivered distally beyond the neuromodulationassembly 21 and fluoroscopy and/or other suitable imaging techniques canbe used to locate the second renal artery. The method 800 continues byapplying targeted heat or cold to effectuate renal neuromodulation atthe second target site to cause partial or full denervation of thekidney associated with the second target site (block 835).

After providing the therapeutically-effective neuromodulation energy(e.g., cryogenic cooling, RF energy, ultrasound energy, etc.), themethod 800 may also include removing the treatment device 12 (e.g.,catheter) and the neuromodulation assembly 21 from the patient (block840). In some embodiments, the neuromodulation assembly 21 can be animplantable device (not shown) and a treatment procedure can includeimplanting the neuromodulation assembly 21 at a suitable treatmentlocation within the patient. Other treatment procedures for modulationof target sympathetic nerves in accordance with embodiments of thepresent technology are also possible.

The method 800 may also include determining whether the neuromodulationsufficiently modulated nerves or other neural structures proximate thefirst and second target sites (block 845). For example, the process ofdetermining whether the neuromodulation therapeutically treated thenerves can include determining whether nerves were sufficientlymodulated or otherwise disrupted to reduce, suppress, inhibit, block orotherwise affect the afferent and/or efferent renal signals (e.g., byevaluation of suitable biomarkers, stimulation and recording of nervesignals, etc.). Examples of suitable biomarkers and their detection aredescribed in International Patent Application No. PCT/US2013/030041,filed Mar. 8, 2013, and International Patent Application No.PCT/US2015/047568, filed Aug. 28, 2015, the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Other suitabledevices and technologies, such as endovascular intraoperative renalnerve monitoring devices are described in International PatentApplication No. PCT/US12/63759, filed Jan. 29, 2013, and incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

In a further embodiment, patient assessment could include determiningwhether the neuromodulation therapeutically treated the patient for oneor more symptoms associated with an anxiety disorder, e.g., coreanxiety-related symptoms (e.g., excessive anxiety and worry,uncontrolled worrying, restlessness, fatigue, impaired concentration ormind going blank, irritability, increased muscle aches or soreness,etc.), sleep disturbances (e.g., insomnia, restless sleep), systemicinflammation, and undesirable elevations in heart rate, blood pressure,and skin conductance, among others. Assessment of certain suitablebiomarkers and/or nerve signals may be made immediately or shortly afterneuromodulation (e.g., about 15 minutes, about 24 hours, or about 7 dayspost-neuromodulation). In further embodiments, patient assessment couldbe performed at time intervals (e.g., about 1 month, 3 months, 6 months,12 months) following neuromodulation treatment. For example, the patientcan be assessed for measurements of blood pressure, blood pressurevariability, nocturnal blood pressure “dipping”, MSBP level, skinconductance, resting heart rate, sleep patterns or quality, measures ofsympathetic activity (e.g., MSNA, renal and/or total body norepinephrinespillover, plasma norepinephrine levels, and heart rate variability),peripheral inflammatory markers (e.g., IL-6, CRP, etc.), NPY level,measures of HPA axis function (e.g., glucocorticoid levels (e.g., inhair, urine, plasma, etc.), glucocorticoid resistance, CAR level, CRHlevel, etc.), sodium level, potassium level, plasma aldosteroneconcentration, plasma renin activity, aldosterone-to-renin ratio, saltsuppression, levels of components of the RAAS (e.g., angiotensinogen IIlevels), urinary Na⁺/K⁺ levels, markers of renal damage or measures ofrenal function (e.g. creatinine level, estimated glomerular filtrationrate, blood urea nitrogen level, creatinine clearance, cystatin-C level,NGAL levels, KIM-1 levels, presence of proteinuria or microalbuminuria,urinary albumin creatinine ratio), and/or a post-neuromodulation anxietydisorder risk score (e.g., via an anxiety screening tool for determininga severity of an anxiety disorder).

In other embodiments, various steps in the method 800 can be modified,omitted, and/or additional steps may be added. In further embodiments,the method 800 can have a delay between applyingtherapeutically-effective neuromodulation energy to a first target siteat or near a first renal artery or first renal ostium and applyingtherapeutically-effective neuromodulation energy to a second target siteat or near a second renal artery or second renal ostium. For example,neuromodulation of the first renal artery can take place at a firsttreatment session, and neuromodulation of the second renal artery cantake place a second treatment session at a later time.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a method 900 for improving ananxiety disorder risk score for a patient in accordance with aspects ofthe present technology. In a first step, the method 900 can includedetermining an initial anxiety disorder risk score for a patient (block902). For example, one or more suitable anxiety disorder risk scorecalculating techniques or tools can be used to establish an anxietydisorder risk score corresponding to an anxiety disorder status in thepatient as described above. At decision block 904, the initial anxietydisorder risk score can be evaluated against a threshold risk score orvalue. If the initial anxiety disorder risk score is not above thethreshold risk score, there is no need to reduce the anxiety disorderrisk score for the patient at the current time and no treatment isselected to perform (block 906). In such a patient, a clinician mayrecommend monitoring the patient's anxiety disorder risk score overtime. For example, a clinician can optionally determine an updatedinitial anxiety disorder risk score for the patient after a determinedtime lapse (e.g., 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months,etc.) (block 908). Following each anxiety disorder risk score evaluation(block 908), the patient's anxiety disorder risk score is evaluatedagainst the threshold risk score or value (decision block 904).

If the patient's anxiety disorder risk score from method step 902, orfrom the optional method step 908, is higher than the threshold riskscore, the method 900 can include performing a neuromodulation procedurein the patient (block 910). In one example, the patient can be asuitable candidate patient as identified in method step 802 of method800 described above, and the neuromodulation procedure can be performedas described in continuing steps of method 800. In other embodiments, aclinician can perform an alternative neuromodulation procedure at methodstep 910. For example, neuromodulation of other target (e.g., non-renal)sympathetic nerves or neuromodulation in a single renal blood vessel(e.g., renal artery) may be performed on the patient.

The method 900 is expected to improve the patient's anxiety disorderrisk score or reduce a probability of the patient developing an anxietydisorder. Optionally, the clinician can further determine apost-neuromodulation anxiety disorder risk score for the patient (block912). For example, the patient can be evaluated using the anxietydisorder risk score tool to assess the patient's post-neuromodulationanxiety disorder status or, alternatively, risk of developing an anxietydisorder. If the post-neuromodulation anxiety disorder risk score isdetermined for the patient in step 912, the method includes comparingthe post-neuromodulation anxiety disorder risk score to the initialanxiety disorder risk score (block 914). In determining if the method900 is successful, the post-neuromodulation anxiety disorder risk scoreis lower than the patient's initial anxiety disorder risk score asdetermined in step 902 (or updated initial anxiety disorder risk scoreas determined in step 908). In some examples, the post-neuromodulationanxiety disorder risk score is lower than the initial anxiety disorderrisk score by about 5%, about 10%, about 20% or about 30%. In otherembodiments, the post-neuromodulation anxiety disorder risk score islower than the initial anxiety disorder risk score by more than 30%. Incertain embodiments, the post-neuromodulation anxiety disorder riskscore can be lower than the threshold risk score.

VII. EXPERIMENTAL EXAMPLES Example 1

This section describes an example of the outcome of renalneuromodulation on human patients. A total of 45 patients (mean age of58±9 years) diagnosed with essential hypertension were treated withpercutaneous, catheter based renal nerve ablation. Treatment included RFenergy delivery to the renal artery using a single-electrode SymplicityFlex™ catheter commercially available from Medtronic, Inc., of 710Medtronic Parkway, Minneapolis, Minn. 55432-5604. In this human trial, aradiotracer dilution method was used to assess overflow ofnorepinephrine from the kidneys into circulation before and 15-30 daysafter the procedure in 10 patients. Bilateral renal-nerve ablationresulted in a marked reduction in mean norepinephrine spillover fromboth kidneys: 47% (95% confidence interval) one month after treatment.

In a similar human trial where bilateral renal nerve ablation wasperformed in 70 patients, whole-body norepinephrine levels (i.e., ameasure of “total” sympathetic activity), fell by nearly 50% after renalnerve ablation and measurement of muscle sympathetic nerve activityshowed a drop of 66% over 6 months, further supporting the conclusionthat total sympathetic dive was reduced by the renal denervationprocedure in this patient group.

Example 2

Example 2 describes the outcome of catheter-based renal neuromodulationon human patients diagnosed with hypertension. Patients selected havinga baseline systolic blood pressure of 160 mm Hg or more (≥150 mm Hg forpatients with type 2 diabetes) and taking three or more antihypertensivedrugs, were randomly allocated into two groups: 51 assessed in a controlgroup (antihypertensive drugs only) and 49 assessed in a treated group(undergone renal neuromodulation and antihypertensive drugs).

Patients in both groups were assessed at 6 months. Office-based bloodpressure measurements in the treated group were reduced by 32/12 mm Hg(SD 23/11, baseline of 178/96 mm Hg, p<0.0001), whereas they did notdiffer from baseline in the control group (change of I/O mm Hg, baselineof 178/97 mm Hg, p=0.77 systolic and p=0.83 diastolic). Between-groupdifferences in blood pressure at 6 months were 33/11 mm Hg (p<0.0001).At 6 months, 41 (84%) of 49 patients who underwent renal neuromodulationhad a reduction in systolic blood pressure of 10 mm Hg or more, comparedwith 18 (35%) of 51 control patients (p<0.0001).

Example 3

Example 3 describes the outcome of catheter-based renal neuromodulationon animal subjects in an additional experiment. In this example (andreferring to FIGS. 10A and 10B), studies using the pig model wereperformed using a multi-electrode Symplicity Spyral™ catheter or asingle-electrode Symplicity Flex™ catheter along with a Symplicity G3™generator. The catheters and generator are commercially available fromMedtronic, Inc. The catheters were used in these cohorts of animals(n=66) to create multiple RF ablations in the renal vasculature.Cortical axon density in the renal cortex (FIG. 10A) and renal corticalnorepinephrine (NE) concentration (FIG. 10B) were used as markers tomeasure procedural efficacy.

As shown in FIG. 10A, cortical axon area (per mm²) dropped approximatelygreater than 54% between a control group (n=64) and treated groups ofpigs (n=66) undergoing treatment. For pigs undergoing treatment with theSymplicity Flex™ catheter (n=54), an average of 4.1 lesions were formedin each animal. These pigs demonstrated a 56.9% increase innon-functional axonal area along the renal artery, and a 68% decrease incortical axon area as compared with the control group. For pigsundergoing treatment with the Symplicity Spyral™ catheter (n=12), anaverage of 4.0 lesions were formed in each animal. The pigs undergoingtreatment with the Symplicity Spyral™ catheter demonstrated a 47.3%increase in non-functional area along the renal artery, and a 54%decrease in cortical axon area relative to the control group. Withoutbeing bound by theory, it is believed that the loss of cortical axons isa likely consequence of nerve atrophy distal to the ablation sites.

FIG. 10B includes (a) a graph of normalized cortical axon area vs. renalNE concentration, and (b) a graph of renal NE concentration vs. extent(%) of nerve ablation. Referring to the table of FIG. 10A and the twographs of FIG. 10B together, cortical axon area correlates directly withrenal NE. In particular, pigs undergoing treatment with the SymplicityFlex™ catheter exhibited a 65% decrease in mean NE level compared withthe pigs in the control group. The pigs treated with the SymplicitySpyral™ catheter exhibited a 68% decrease in mean NE level compared withthe pigs in the control group. This is further shown by the first graphof FIG. 10B, which demonstrates that a decrease in cortical axon areacorrelates with a decrease in NE levels. Referring to the second graphof FIG. 10B, renal NE decrease is non-linear with increased loss ofnerve viability along the artery (further extent (%) of nerve ablation).These findings suggest that catheter-based renal neuromodulationexhibits a relatively consistent impact on sympathetic nerve functionand viability, and further suggest that neuromodulation of SNS fibersinnervating a target tissue and/or organ (such as the kidney) result ina significant decrease in local NE concentration.

Example 4

Example 4 describes an example of the outcome of renal neuromodulationon human patients. Markers of cardiovascular inflammation and remodelingwere assessed (Dörr, O., et al., Clin Res Cardiol, 2015, 104: 175-184).A total of 60 patients (mean age of 67.9±9.6 years) diagnosed withresistant arterial hypertension were treated with percutaneous,catheter-based renal sympathetic denervation. Treatment included RFenergy delivery to the renal artery using a Symplicity® catheter systemcommercially available from Medtronic, Inc. In this human trial, atherapeutic response was defined as a systolic blood pressure (BP)reduction of >10 mmHg in the office blood pressure measurement 6 monthsafter renal denervation. Of the 60 patients, 49 patients (82%) wereclassified as responders with a mean systolic BP reduction of >10 mmHg.Venous blood samples for determination of biomarkers of inflammation(e.g., IL-6, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP)) and markers ofvascular remodeling (matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9), tissueinhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMP-1)) were collected atbaseline (prior to renal denervation) and 6 months after renaldenervation for all patients.

Collected data from all patients demonstrated that bilateral renal nervedenervation resulted in a significant reduction in mean office systolicBP of 26.4 mmHg (169.3±11.3 mmHg at baseline vs. 142.9±13.8 mmHg atfollow-up; p<0.001). The procedure further resulted in a significantreduction in the serum levels of hsCRP (3.6 mg/dL at baseline vs. 1.7mg/dL at follow-up, p<0.001), and a significant reduction in thepro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 (4.04 pg/mL at baseline vs. 2.2 pg/mL atfollow-up, p<0.001) six months after treatment. Additionally, theprocedure resulted in a significant increase in the serum levels ofMMP-9 (425.2 ng/mL at base line vs. 574.1 ng/mL at follow-up, p=0.02),and in serum levels of MMP-2 (192.3 ng/mL at baseline vs. 231.3 ng/mL atfollow-up, p<0.001). There were no significant changes in TIMP-1 6months after renal denervation. Notably, of non-responders (e.g.,patients with a BP reduction of <10 mmHg), serum levels of hsCRP stilldecreased (3.2 mg/dL at baseline vs. 2.4 mg/dL at follow-up, p=0.09),and serum levels of IL-6 still decreased (3.1 pg/mL at baseline vs. 2.7pg/mL at follow-up, p=0.16), although there was a significantly greaterbeneficial effect of renal denervation on biomarker levels in BPresponders when compared with non-responders.

These findings suggest that catheter-based renal neuromodulationexhibits a positive vascular and systemic effect on mediators ofinflammation, IL-6 and hsCRP, and inhibitors (MMP-9 and MMP-2) ofdeleterious cardiovascular remodeling. Low serum levels of MMP-9 andMMP-2 have been found to be essential to damaging vascular remodelingfound in essential hypertension and progression of end-organ damageThese findings suggest that levels of MMP-9 and MMP-2, which areinvolved in ECM turnover in different tissues, including the arterialwall, can be elevated post-renal neuromodulation, and, without beingbound by theory, are postulated to be beneficial in reversal of damageto the vessels caused by inflammation, cardiovascular disease and/orhypertension. As elevated inflammatory biomarkers, such as IL-6 and CRP,have been proposed as predictors and possible contributors of anxietydisorder etiology and/or incidence of an anxiety disorder, these resultsdemonstrate that renal neuromodulation may be useful to reduce aseverity of an anxiety disorder, reverse an anxiety disorder diagnosis,or reduce a risk associated with the development of an anxiety disorderin susceptible or at risk patients. In addition to lowering systolic BPin (responsive) hypertensive patients, these findings suggest that renaldenervation has a positive effect on biomarkers of inflammation (e.g.,IL-6, hsCRP) and cardiovascular remodeling (e.g., MMP-2, MMP-9) separatefrom and in addition to the effect on blood pressure.

Example 5

Example 5 describes an example of the effects of renal neuromodulationon nocturnal blood pressure using ambulatory 24-hour blood pressure (BP)monitoring in human patients. Elevated blood pressure during thenighttime as well as early morning hours (e.g., elevated morning surgein BP; “MSBP”) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascularevents and strokes, and MSBP is associated with anxiety disordersindependent from “non-dipping” nocturnal blood pressure, with highermorning surges associated with higher levels of anxiety-associatedsymptoms, including poorer overall sleep quality (FitzGerald, L., etal., J Hum Hypertens, 2012, 26: 228-235; Kario, K., et al.,Hypertension, 2015, 66:1130-1137). In this example, a total of 576patients diagnosed with resistant arterial hypertension (e.g., baselineoffice systolic BP≥160 mm Hg and 24-hour ambulatory systolic BP≥135 mmHg) were either treated (“RDN treated”; n=382) with bilateralpercutaneous, catheter-based renal sympathetic denervation (mean age of58±11 years) or blindly treated (“blind control”; n=159) with a shamprocedure (e.g., renal angiogram) or not treated (“control”; n=19)(Kario, K., et al., Hypertension, 2015, 66:1130-1137). Treatmentincluded RF energy delivery to the renal artery using a Symplicity™catheter system (Medtronic, Inc.). The renal neuromodulation (“RDN”)treated group received up to six ablations rotated in 45 degreeincrements and approximately 5 mm apart for 2 minutes each in both renalarteries. Treatments were delivered from the first distal main renalartery bifurcation to the ostium proximally and were spacedlongitudinally and rotationally under fluoroscopic guidance. BPvariability, morning ambulatory, nighttime ambulatory and daytimeambulatory systolic BP was measured by 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoringbefore renal denervation and at 6 months after renal denervation.

In patients with resistant hypertension, renal denervation resulted insignificant reduction in ambulatory nighttime and morning BP. Forexample, mean ambulatory nighttime BP measurements in the RDN treatedgroup were reduced by 6.3±18.2 mm Hg (p<0.001; baseline of 151.5±18.3 mmHg, p=0.24), whereas they were not significantly reduced (−1.7±19.2 mmHg; p=0.233) from baseline (149.5±20.1 mm Hg, p=0.24) in the blindcontrol+control group 6 months post-neuromodulation. Further, meanambulatory morning BP measurements in the RDN treated group were reducedby 7.3±19.6 mm Hg (p<0.001; baseline of 161.2±17.2 mm Hg, p=0.24),whereas they were not significantly reduced (−3.2±21.0 mm Hg; p=0.046)from baseline (160.3±19.2 mm Hg, p=0.579) in the blind control+controlgroup 6 months post-neuromodulation. These findings suggest thatpatients presenting with an anxiety disorder and treated with renalneuromodulation will have decreased ambulatory nighttime systolic BP anddecreased MSBP which will reduce the patient's likelihood (e.g., lowerlevel of risk) of developing, progressing or worsening cardiovasculardisease. These findings further suggest that patients with an anxietydisorder and treated with renal neuromodulation will improve one or moresymptoms relating to the anxiety disorder and/or sleep disturbances.

Example 6

Example 6 describes a method for treating human patients diagnosed withan anxiety disorder with renal neuromodulation and anticipated outcomesof such treatment. In this example, human patients diagnosed with ananxiety disorder will be treated with renal denervation and a method oftreatment includes modulating nerve tissue surrounding the main renalartery (e.g., locations along the main renal vessel, locations at ornear the bifurcation, etc.) and/or modulating nerve tissue surroundingone or more primary branch trunks (e.g., proximal portion of one or moreprimary branch vessels distal to the bifurcation).

For patients undergoing distal main renal artery treatment, modulatingnerve tissue includes forming a plurality of spaced-apart lesions at thedistal segment of the renal artery and within a distance ofapproximately 6 mm proximal to the branch point within the renal arteryusing the Symplicity Spyral™ catheter, commercially available fromMedtronic, Inc. For example, a first (e.g., most distal) lesion can beformed about 5-6 mm proximal from the bifurcation. Othermulti-electrode, spiral/helical-shaped catheters for forming multiplelesions along the length of the vessel are also contemplated for thesemethods. For patients undergoing main artery treatment at a centralsegment of the main renal artery, the Symplicity Spyral™ catheter can beused to form a plurality of spaced-apart lesions (e.g., about 2 lesionsto about 4 lesions) in a spiral/helical pattern along the centralsegment of the main renal artery. The catheter may also be movedproximally and/or distally to form multiple sets of lesions during aprocedure.

For patients undergoing renal branch treatment, modulating nerve tissueincludes forming up to about four lesions (e.g., about 2 lesions toabout 4 lesions) in one or more primary branch trunks (e.g., from about1 mm to about 6 mm distal to the primary bifurcation, in regions greaterthan 2 mm distal to the primary bifurcation). Modulation of nerve tissueat branch trunk treatment sites and/or different combinations oftreatment sites within the renal vasculature (e.g., locations along themain renal vessel, locations at or near the bifurcation, etc.) can alsobe performed using the multi-electrode Symplicity Spyral™ catheter.Other multi-electrode, spiral/helical-shaped catheters having a tighterspiral/helix (e.g., smaller pitch) for forming multiple lesions close inproximity along the length of the vessel are contemplated for thesemethods.

In a particular example, a method for efficaciously neuromodulatingrenal nerve tissue in a human patient can include advancing amulti-electrode Symplicity Spyral™ catheter to a first renal arterybranch vessel approximately 6 mm distal to the bifurcation. Followingretraction of a guidewire and/or straightening sheath, the SymplicitySpyral™ catheter can transform to a spiral/helically-shapedconfiguration that accommodates the inner diameter of a typical renalartery and/or the branches of the renal artery (e.g., about 2-10 mm),placing the electrodes (e.g., 4 electrodes) in contact with the vesselwall. A first (e.g., most distal) lesion can be formed about 5-6 mmdistal to the bifurcation. Following treatment at the first renal arterybranch, the catheter can be withdrawn into the main renal vessel andthen advanced under fluoroscopy into a second renal artery branch andthe treatment procedure can be repeated. Some methods can includetreating two branch vessels at the proximal trunk segment of the branchvessel. Other methods can include treating greater than two or all ofthe primary branch vessels branching from the main renal vessel (e.g.,distal to a primary bifurcation). As described above, these methods mayalso include combining neuromodulation of renal nerve tissue surroundingone or more primary branch trunks with neuromodulation of renal nervetissue at additional treatment locations (e.g., locations along the mainrenal vessel, locations at or near the bifurcation, etc.). Other methodscan include advancing a multi-electrode Symplicity Spyral™ catheter to afirst renal artery branch vessel approximately 10 mm distal to thebifurcation, with a first (e.g., most distal) lesion formed about 9-10mm distal to the bifurcation.

Physiological biomarkers, such as systemic catecholamines and/or theirsubsequent degradation products could be measured in either plasma,serum or urine to serve as surrogate markers to measure proceduralefficacy such as described in International Patent Application No.PCT/US2015/047568, filed Aug. 28, 2015, and incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

It is anticipated that treating a human patient diagnosed with ananxiety disorder or having an increased risk of developing an anxietydisorder (e.g., a predisposition, having one or more biomarkerssuggesting an increased likelihood, genetic/epigenetic factors, etc.) orhaving one or more measurable risk factors predictive for thedevelopment of an anxiety disorder, with renal neuromodulation, at oneor more of the described treatment locations, will inhibit sympatheticneural activity in the renal nerve in a manner that reduces a centralsympathetic drive (e.g., as correlated with whole body norepinephrinespillover and/or renal norepinephrine spillover) by greater than about20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50% or greater than about 60% in about1 month, in about 3 months, in about 6 months or in about 12 months, orin another embodiment, in about 3 months to about 12 months, after renalneuromodulation treatment. Reduction in central sympathetic drive isanticipated to result in a therapeutically beneficial improvement in oneor more measurable physiological parameters corresponding to anincidence of an anxiety disorder, and/or a severity of an anxietydisorder in the patient.

Example 7

Example 7 describes a method for determining human patients who have acalculated risk score for determining an anxiety disorder status (e.g.,diagnosis) at or above a threshold anxiety disorder risk score andtreating such patients with targeted sympathetic neuromodulation ofrenal SNS neural fibers innervating the kidney. In this example, humanpatients having a calculated anxiety disorder risk score meeting orexceeding a threshold anxiety disorder risk score will be treated withrenal neuromodulation to improve the patient's anxiety disorder riskscore and/or lower the patient's anxiety disorder risk score (e.g., in amanner that improves the patient's anxiety disorder status, reverses thepatient's anxiety disorder diagnosis, and/or improves one or moresymptoms or contributing factors associated with the anxiety disorder inthe patient).

Patients presenting one or more risk factors or indicators predictivefor or indicative of an anxiety disorder will be assessed for otherpossible risk factors and an anxiety disorder risk score will becalculated. In this example, a patient will fill out a questionnaire orotherwise have an attending physician assess risk factors. An anxietydisorder risk score calculator based on risk factor data to determine aprobability or likelihood of anxiety disorder status (e.g., diagnosis)in an individual is shown in FIG. 11. The anxiety disorder risk scorecalculator shown in FIG. 11 is derived from data provided in the GAD-7study to develop a model of a technique to assess duration and/orfrequency of anxiety-associated symptoms and screen the patient for riskfactors and indicators of an anxiety disorder to determine a likelihoodand/or severity of an anxiety disorder diagnosis (Spitzer, R. L., etal., Arch Intern Med., 2006, 166: 1092-1097).

Referring to the anxiety disorder risk score calculator shown in FIG.11, a patient will be queried and assessed for core anxiety symptoms(e.g., excessive anxiety and worry, uncontrolled worrying, restlessness,fatigue, impaired concentration or mind going blank, irritability,increased muscle aches or soreness, sleep disturbances (e.g., insomnia,restless sleep), etc. In addition to these seven clinical measures, thepatient may also be examined and/or tested by a physician fordetermination of other physiological variables pertaining to the SNSsuch as, for example, heart rate variability, heart rate reactions tostress, whole body MSNA levels (FIG. 11), and systolic blood pressure(e.g., daytime, nocturnal and morning surge) (not shown in FIG. 11). Inthis example, the input to the calculator will yield both apatient-specific anxiety disorder risk score as well as an indication asto whether RDN treatment is recommended. In this example, the thresholdanxiety disorder risk score is 10. An indication of RDN recommendationmay be based on whether the patient's anxiety disorder risk score is ator above the threshold anxiety disorder risk score, either alone or incombination with one or more physician-administered tests assessing SNSactivity or systolic blood pressure level.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, a hypothetical patient reports experiencing 1anxiety disorder inventory symptom nearly every day, 3 anxiety disorderinventory symptoms more than half the days, and 3 anxiety disorderinventory symptoms for several days (e.g., over the last 6 months). Aphysician-administered SNS test assessing heart rate variabilityindicated the patient's SDNN intervals were less than the 50 msthreshold, and a test for baroreflex indicated that the baroreceptorsensitivity was less than 1.74 ms/mmHg; however the patient metthreshold levels in heart rate reactions to stress, and whole body MSNAlevels. The hypothetical patient's anxiety disorder risk score of 10meets the threshold level determination for anxiety disorder diagnosis(e.g., moderate anxiety level) and for receiving RDN treatment with orwithout the additional SNS tests (or ascertaining a systolic bloodpressure for the patient). Following bilateral renal neuromodulationtreatment, the hypothetical patient may have improvement in one or moremeasurable risk factors (e.g., heart rate variability, severity orfrequency of sleep disturbances, nocturnal and/or morning surge bloodpressure, etc.), and/or reported risk factors pertaining to coreanxiety-related symptoms (e.g., nervous or anxious feelings, excessiveworrying, restlessness, irritability, episodes of uncontrollable fear,low energy levels, etc.), that improves the patient's anxiety disorderrisk score, and in some cases, to levels below the threshold anxietydisorder risk score level(s).

VIII. FURTHER EXAMPLES

1. In a normotensive patient diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, amethod comprising:

-   -   intravascularly positioning a neuromodulation assembly within a        renal blood vessel of the patient and adjacent to a renal nerve        of the patient; and    -   at least partially inhibiting sympathetic neural activity in the        renal nerve of the patient via the neuromodulation assembly,    -   wherein at least partially inhibiting sympathetic neural        activity results in a therapeutically beneficial improvement in        a measurable parameter associated with the anxiety disorder of        the patient.

2. The method of example 1 wherein at least partially inhibitingsympathetic neural activity in the patient in a manner that results in atherapeutically beneficial improvement in a measurable parameterassociated with the anxiety disorder comprises one or more of improvinga sleep pattern of the patient, improving a sleep quality of thepatient, and reducing a level of insomnia in the patient.

3. The method of example 1 or example 2 wherein the patient is diagnosedwith one or more of general anxiety disorder, panic disorder, socialanxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and specific phobiadisorder.

4. The method of any one of examples 1-3 wherein reducing sympatheticneural activity in the patient in a manner that results in atherapeutically beneficial improvement in a measurable parameterassociated with the anxiety disorder comprises reducing a morning surgeblood pressure and/or a nocturnal blood pressure in the patient.

5. The method of one of examples 1-4 wherein reducing sympathetic neuralactivity in the patient in a manner that results in a therapeuticallybeneficial improvement in a measurable parameter associated with theanxiety disorder comprises improving one or more of excessive anxiety,uncontrolled worrying, restlessness, fatigue, impaired concentration,irritability, increased muscle aches or soreness, sleep disturbances inthe patient as measured on an anxiety scale.

6. The method of any one of examples 1-5 wherein reducing sympatheticneural activity in the patient further comprises improving one or moreanxiety-related symptoms in the patient as reported on an anxietyinventory scale.

7. The method of example 6 wherein improving one or more anxiety-relatedsymptoms in the patient includes reducing a level of anxiety-relatedsymptoms and/or a number of anxiety-related symptoms.

8. The method of example 6 or example 7 wherein improving one or moreanxiety-related symptoms in the patient includes reducing a level ofanxiety-related symptoms in the patient by at least about 5%, at leastabout 10%, at least about 20% or at least about 40%.

9. The method of example 6 or example 7 wherein improving one or moreanxiety-related symptoms in the patient includes reducing a number ofanxiety-related symptoms in the patient by at least about 5%, at leastabout 10%, at least about 20% or at least about 40% within about threemonths to about 12 months after at least partially inhibitingsympathetic neural activity in the patient by delivering energy to therenal nerve.

10. The method of any one of examples 1-9 wherein the patient is female.

11. The method of any one of examples 1-10 wherein the patient isbetween the ages of 18 and 45, between the ages of 18 and 30, betweenthe ages of 20 and 40, or between the ages of 20 and 35.

12. The method of any one of examples 1-10 wherein the patient isbetween the ages of 35 and 65, between the ages of 45 and 65, betweenthe ages of 50 and 70, or the patient is at least 35 years old.

13. The method of any one of examples 1-12 wherein at least partiallyinhibiting sympathetic neural activity in the patient further comprisesreducing an incidence of stroke or cardiovascular disease in thepatient.

14. The method of any one of examples 1-12 wherein the patient has ahistory of cardiovascular disease or stroke, and wherein at leastpartially inhibiting sympathetic neural activity in the patient furthercomprises reducing an incidence of a future cardiovascular event orstroke.

15. The method of example 1 wherein at least partially inhibitingsympathetic neural activity in the patient in a manner that results in atherapeutically beneficial improvement in a measurable parameterassociated with the anxiety disorder comprises improving a patient'sanxiety disorder risk score on an anxiety screening tool.

16. The method of any one of examples 1-15 wherein at least partiallyinhibiting sympathetic neural activity in the patient in a manner thatresults in a therapeutically beneficial improvement in a measurableparameter associated with the anxiety disorder includes one or more of:

-   -   increasing a heart rate variability of the patient;    -   increasing baroreceptor sensitivity in the patient;    -   reducing a morning surge blood pressure in the patient;    -   reducing a plasma cortisol level in the patient;    -   reducing a level of glucocorticoid resistance in the patient;        and    -   reducing a level of an inflammatory biomarker in the patient.

17. The method of example 16 wherein the inflammatory biomarker is atleast one of interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, interleukin-2, tumornecrosis factor-alpha, and C-reactive protein.

18. The method of any one of examples 1-17 wherein reducing sympatheticneural activity in the renal nerve further reduces muscle sympatheticnerve activity (MSNA) in the patient.

19. The method of any one of examples 1-18 wherein reducing sympatheticneural activity in the renal nerve further reduces whole bodynorepinephrine spillover in the patient.

20. The method of example 19 wherein the whole body norepinephrinespillover is reduced by at least about 20% in about one month afterreducing sympathetic neural activity in the renal nerve.

21. The method of example 19 wherein the whole body norepinephrinespillover is reduced by greater than about 40% in about three months toabout 12 months after reducing sympathetic neural activity in the renalnerve.

22. The method of any one of examples 1-21 wherein the patient iscurrently administered one or more pharmaceutical drugs for the anxietydisorder, and wherein at least partially inhibiting sympathetic neuralactivity in the patient in a manner that results in a therapeuticallybeneficial improvement in a measurable parameter associated with theanxiety disorder comprises reducing at least one of a number of or ameasured dosage of pharmaceutical drugs administered to the patient forthe anxiety disorder.

23. The method of example 22 wherein the pharmaceutical drugs includeone or more of an anti-anxiety drug, antidepressant, an anti-psychoticdrug, an insomnia drug or an anti-inflammatory drug.

24. In a human patient, a method of reducing a risk of the patientdeveloping an anxiety disorder, the method comprising:

-   -   intravascularly positioning a catheter carrying a        neuromodulation assembly adjacent to a renal sympathetic nerve        of the patient;    -   delivering energy to the renal sympathetic nerve via the        neuromodulation assembly to attenuate neural traffic along the        renal sympathetic nerve; and    -   removing the catheter and neuromodulation assembly from the        patient after treatment, wherein attenuating neural traffic        along the renal sympathetic nerve reduces a risk of the patient        developing the anxiety disorder.

25. The method of example 24 wherein the risk of developing the anxietydisorder is calculated using an anxiety screening tool, and wherein apost-neuromodulation anxiety disorder risk score for the patient, ascalculated by the anxiety screening tool, is lower than an initialanxiety disorder risk score.

26. The method of example 24 or example 25 wherein attenuating neuraltraffic along the renal sympathetic nerve further results in one or moreof:

-   -   increasing heart rate variability in the patient;    -   increasing baroreceptor sensitivity in the patient;    -   reducing a level of glucocorticoid resistance in the patient;    -   reducing a cortisol level in the patient;    -   reducing a systolic blood pressure of the patient;    -   reducing a morning surge blood pressure in the patient;    -   reducing a nocturnal blood pressure in the patient;    -   reducing muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) in the        patient;    -   reducing a plasma or urine norepinephrine level in the patient;        and    -   reducing a level of an inflammatory biomarker in the patient.

27. The method of example 26 wherein the inflammatory biomarker is atleast one of interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, interleukin-2, tumornecrosis factor-alpha, and C-reactive protein.

28. The method of any one of examples 24-27 wherein the patient has apersonal or family history of anxiety disorders and/or depression, andwherein attenuating neural traffic along the renal sympathetic nervereduces an incidence of a future anxiety attack in the patient.

29. The method of any one of examples 24-28 wherein the patient iscurrently experiencing an adverse life circumstance and is diagnosedwith one or more of low heart rate variability, elevated plasma or urinecatecholamine levels, elevated systolic blood pressure, elevated morningsurge in blood pressure, non-dipping nocturnal blood pressure, lowneuropeptide Y level, elevated plasma cortisol level, glucocorticoidresistance, elevated cortisol awakening rise (CAR), reduced baroreceptorsensitivity, and elevated level of an inflammatory biomarker.

30. The method of any one of examples 24-29 wherein the patient has apolymorphism in at least one of the genes encoding for FK506-bindingprotein 5 (FKBP5 gene), glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1 gene), serotonintransporter (SLC6A4 gene), cortisol releasing hormone receptor-1 (CRHR1gene), interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, angiotensinconverting enzyme (ACE), and angiotensin receptor (ATTR) that provide anincreased likelihood of developing the anxiety disorder.

31. The method of any one of examples 24-30 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with cardiovascular disease.

32. The method of any one of examples 24-31 wherein the patient has ahistory of stroke.

33. The method of any of examples 24-32 wherein the patient has one ormore anxiety disorder risk factors selected from the group consisting ofincreased substance usage, hypertension, elevated norepinephrine wholebody spillover, exposure to multiple traumatic events, female, widowedor divorced marital status, and adverse childhood experience.

34. The method of any one of examples 24-33 wherein attenuating neuraltraffic along the renal sympathetic nerve comprises at least partiallyablating the renal sympathetic nerve.

35. The method of any one of examples 24-33 wherein attenuating neuraltraffic along the renal sympathetic nerve comprises at least partiallydisrupting communication along the renal sympathetic nerve.

36. The method of any one of examples 24-33 wherein attenuating neuraltraffic along the renal sympathetic nerve comprises irreversiblydisrupting communication along the renal sympathetic nerve.

37. The method of any one of examples 24-33 wherein attenuating neuraltraffic along the renal sympathetic nerve comprises delivering an energyfield to the renal sympathetic nerve via the neuromodulation assembly.

38. The method of example 37 wherein delivering an energy field to therenal sympathetic nerve comprises delivering at least one of radiofrequency energy, ultrasound energy, high intensity ultrasound energy,laser energy, and microwave energy via the neuromodulation assembly.

39. The method of any one of examples 24-38 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with prehypertension or hypertension, and wherein attenuatingneural traffic along the renal sympathetic nerve further reduces wholebody norepinephrine spillover in the patient in a manner that reducesthe risk of the patient developing the anxiety disorder.

40. A method for improving a patient's risk score corresponding to ananxiety disorder status of the patient, the method comprising:

-   -   intravascularly positioning a catheter carrying a        neuromodulation assembly within a renal blood vessel and        adjacent to a renal sympathetic nerve in the patient;    -   delivering energy to the renal sympathetic nerve via the        neuromodulation assembly to attenuate neural traffic along the        renal sympathetic nerve; and    -   removing the catheter and neuromodulation assembly from the        patient after treatment, wherein attenuating neural traffic        along the renal sympathetic nerve results in improving the        patient's risk score corresponding to the anxiety disorder        status of the patient.

41. The method of example 40 wherein improving the patient's risk scorecorresponding to the anxiety disorder status of the patient includes oneor more of improving anxiety-related symptoms, improving the patient'ssleep quality, reducing a level of systemic inflammation in the patient,and improving a patient's body mass index.

42. The method of example 40 or example 41 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with pre-hypertension or hypertension, and wherein improvingthe patient's risk score corresponding to the anxiety disorder status ofthe patient includes reducing the patient's blood pressure.

43. The method of any one of examples 40-42 wherein a patient's riskscore corresponding to the anxiety disorder status of the patient isreduced by at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%,at least about 30% or at least about 40%.

44. The method of any one of examples 40-43 wherein the patient's riskscore is calculated using an anxiety screening tool, and wherein apost-neuromodulation anxiety disorder risk score, as calculated by theanxiety screening tool, is lower than an initial anxiety disorder riskscore.

45. The method of example 44, wherein the anxiety screening toolincludes a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for assessing an anxiety disorderseverity.

46. A method for improving an anxiety disorder risk score for a humanpatient diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, the method comprisingperforming a renal neuromodulation procedure in the patient diagnosedwith the anxiety disorder, wherein a post-neuromodulation risk score islower than an initial risk score of the patient diagnosed with theanxiety disorder.

47. The method of example 46 wherein the post-neuromodulation risk scoreis lower than the initial risk score by about 5%, about 10%, about 20%or about 30%.

48. The method of example 46 or example 47 wherein the initial riskscore indicates the patient is at risk of having the anxiety disorder ifthe initial risk score is greater than a threshold risk score.

49. The method of any one of examples 46-48 wherein the initial riskscore and the post-neuromodulation risk score are determined using ananxiety screening tool for determining a severity of the anxietydisorder of the patient.

50. The method of any one of examples 46-49 wherein the initial riskscore and the post-neuromodulation risk score are based upon one or morefactors comprising a psychological evaluation, type and/or severity ofanxiety-related symptoms, duration of anxiety-related symptomsexperienced by the patient, number of instances of trauma exposure, andsleep disturbances.

51. A method for managing an anxiety disorder in a normotensive humanpatient, the method comprising:

-   -   transluminally positioning an energy delivery element of a        catheter within a renal blood vessel of the patient and adjacent        to renal sympathetic neural fibers in the patient; and    -   at least partially ablating the renal sympathetic neural fibers        via the energy delivery element,    -   wherein at least partially ablating the renal sympathetic neural        fibers results in a therapeutically beneficial improvement in a        measurable parameter associated with the anxiety of the patient.

52. The method of example 51 wherein at least partially ablating therenal sympathetic neural fibers in the patient in a manner that resultsin a therapeutically beneficial improvement in a measurable parameterassociated with the anxiety disorder comprises improving one or both ofa sleep pattern or a sleep quality.

53. The method of example 51 or 52 wherein at least partially ablatingthe renal sympathetic neural fibers in the patient in a manner thatresults in a therapeutically beneficial improvement in a measurableparameter associated with the anxiety disorder comprises at least one ofreducing a nocturnal blood pressure and reducing a morning surge inblood pressure in the patient.

54. The method of any one of examples 51-53 wherein at least partiallyablating the renal sympathetic neural fibers in the patient in a mannerthat results in a therapeutically beneficial improvement in a measurableparameter associated with the anxiety disorder comprises improving oneor more anxiety-related symptoms in the patient.

55. The method of any one of examples 51-54 wherein at least partiallyablating the renal sympathetic neural fibers further results in reducingan incidence of one or more of hypertension, cardiovascular disease,obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, systemic inflammation, stroke anddementia in the patient.

56. The method of any one of examples 51-55 wherein at least partiallyablating the renal sympathetic neural fibers further results in atherapeutically beneficial improvement in a measurable physiologicalparameter associated with a comorbid condition in the patient.

57. The method of example 56 wherein the comorbid condition is one ormore of depression, cancer, cardiovascular disease, obesity, metabolicdisorder, systemic inflammation and dementia.

58. The method of any one of examples 51-57, further comprisingadministering one or more pharmaceutical drugs to the patient, whereinthe pharmaceutical drugs are selected from the group consisting ofanti-anxiety drugs, antidepressants, anti-hypertension drugs andanti-inflammatory drugs.

59. The method of any one of examples 51-58 wherein at least partiallyablating the renal sympathetic neural fibers of the patient via theenergy delivery element comprises delivering a thermal electric field tothe sympathetic neural fibers via at least one electrode.

60. A method for treating a patient that can answer affirmatively, ifasked, to at least three of the following statements:

-   -   in the past six months and at least most of the time—        -   a) you have felt restless, keyed up or on edge,        -   b) you are easily fatigued,        -   c) you have had difficulty in concentrating,        -   d) you have felt irritable,        -   e) you have had muscle tension,        -   f) you have had trouble sleeping at night,            the method comprising:    -   intravascularly positioning a neuromodulation assembly within a        renal blood vessel of the patient and adjacent to a renal nerve        of the patient; and    -   at least partially inhibiting sympathetic neural activity in the        renal nerve of the patient via the neuromodulation assembly,    -   wherein at least partially inhibiting sympathetic neural        activity results in a therapeutically beneficial improvement in        the patient's response to one or more of statements a-f.

IX. CONCLUSION

The above detailed descriptions of embodiments of the technology andmethodology are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the technologyto the precise forms disclosed above. Although specific embodiments of,and examples for, the technology are described above for illustrativepurposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scopeof the technology, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.For example, while steps are presented in a given order, alternativeembodiments may perform steps in a different order. The variousembodiments described herein may also be combined to provide furtherembodiments. All references cited herein are incorporated by referenceas if fully set forth herein.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments ofthe technology have been described herein for purposes of illustration,but well-known structures and functions have not been shown or describedin detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of theembodiments of the technology. Where the context permits, singular orplural terms may also include the plural or singular term, respectively.

Moreover, unless the word “or” is expressly limited to mean only asingle item exclusive from the other items in reference to a list of twoor more items, then the use of “or” in such a list is to be interpretedas including (a) any single item in the list, (b) all of the items inthe list, or (c) any combination of the items in the list. Additionally,the term “comprising” is used throughout to mean including at least therecited feature(s) such that any greater number of the same featureand/or additional types of other features are not precluded. It willalso be appreciated that specific embodiments have been described hereinfor purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be madewithout deviating from the technology. Further, while advantagesassociated with certain embodiments of the technology have beendescribed in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments mayalso exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarilyexhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the technology.Accordingly, the disclosure and associated technology can encompassother embodiments not expressly shown or described herein.

I/We claim:
 1. In a human patient, a method of reducing a risk of thepatient developing an anxiety disorder, the method comprising:intravascularly positioning a catheter carrying a neuromodulationassembly adjacent to a renal sympathetic nerve of the patient;delivering energy to the renal sympathetic nerve via the neuromodulationassembly to attenuate neural traffic along the renal sympathetic nerve;and removing the catheter and neuromodulation assembly from the patientafter treatment, wherein attenuating neural traffic along the renalsympathetic nerve reduces a risk of the patient developing the anxietydisorder.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the risk of developing theanxiety disorder is calculated using an anxiety screening tool, andwherein a post-neuromodulation anxiety disorder risk score for thepatient, as calculated by the anxiety screening tool, is lower than abaseline anxiety disorder risk score.
 3. The method of claim 1 whereinthe patient has one or more anxiety disorder risk factors selected fromthe group consisting of increased substance usage, hypertension,elevated norepinephrine whole body spillover, exposure to multipletraumatic events, female, widowed or divorced marital status, andadverse childhood experience.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein thepatient has a personal or family history of anxiety disorders and/ordepression, and wherein attenuating neural traffic along the renalsympathetic nerve reduces an incidence of a future anxiety attack in thepatient.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the patient is currentlyexperiencing an adverse life circumstance and is diagnosed with one ormore of low heart rate variability, elevated plasma or urinecatecholamine levels, elevated systolic blood pressure, elevated morningsurge in blood pressure, non-dipping nocturnal blood pressure, lowneuropeptide Y level, elevated plasma cortisol level, glucocorticoidresistance, elevated cortisol awakening rise (CAR), reduced baroreceptorsensitivity, and elevated level of an inflammatory biomarker.
 6. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the patient has a polymorphism in at least oneof the genes encoding for FK506-binding protein 5 (FKBP5 gene),glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1 gene), serotonin transporter (SLC6A4gene), cortisol releasing hormone receptor-1 (CRHR1 gene),interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, angiotensinconverting enzyme (ACE), and angiotensin receptor (ATTR) that provide anincreased likelihood of developing the anxiety disorder.
 7. A method forimproving a patient's risk score corresponding to an anxiety disorderstatus of the patient, the method comprising: intravascularlypositioning a catheter carrying a neuromodulation assembly within arenal blood vessel and adjacent to a renal sympathetic nerve in thepatient; delivering energy to the renal sympathetic nerve via theneuromodulation assembly to attenuate neural traffic along the renalsympathetic nerve; and removing the catheter and neuromodulationassembly from the patient after treatment, wherein attenuating neuraltraffic along the renal sympathetic nerve results in improving thepatient's risk score corresponding to the anxiety disorder status of thepatient.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the patient's risk score iscalculated using an anxiety screening tool, and wherein apost-neuromodulation anxiety disorder risk score, as calculated by theanxiety screening tool, is lower than a baseline anxiety disorder riskscore.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the baseline anxiety disorderrisk score and the post-neuromodulation anxiety disorder risk score arebased upon one or more factors comprising a psychological evaluation,type and/or severity of anxiety-related symptoms, duration ofanxiety-related symptoms experienced by the patient, number of instancesof trauma exposure, and sleep disturbances.
 10. The method of claim 7wherein improving the patient's risk score corresponding to the anxietydisorder status of the patient includes one or more of improvinganxiety-related symptoms, improving the patient's sleep quality,reducing a level of systemic inflammation in the patient, and improvinga patient's body mass index.
 11. In a normotensive patient diagnosedwith an anxiety disorder, a method comprising: intravascularlypositioning a neuromodulation assembly within a renal blood vessel ofthe patient and adjacent to a renal nerve of the patient; and at leastpartially inhibiting sympathetic neural activity in the renal nerve ofthe patient via the neuromodulation assembly, wherein at least partiallyinhibiting sympathetic neural activity results in a therapeuticallybeneficial improvement in a measurable parameter associated with theanxiety disorder of the patient.
 12. The method of claim 11 whereinreducing sympathetic neural activity in the patient further comprisesimproving one or more anxiety-related symptoms in the patient asreported on an anxiety inventory scale.
 13. The method of claim 12wherein improving one or more anxiety-related symptoms in the patientincludes reducing a level of anxiety-related symptoms and/or a number ofanxiety-related symptoms.
 14. The method of claim 11 wherein the patientis diagnosed with one or more of general anxiety disorder, panicdisorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, andspecific phobia disorder.
 15. The method of claim 11 wherein the patientis between the ages of 18 and 45, between the ages of 18 and 30, betweenthe ages of 20 and 40, or between the ages of 20 and
 35. 16. The methodof claim 11 wherein at least partially inhibiting sympathetic neuralactivity in the patient further comprises reducing an incidence ofstroke or cardiovascular disease in the patient.
 17. The method of claim11 wherein the patient has a history of cardiovascular disease orstroke, and wherein at least partially inhibiting sympathetic neuralactivity in the patient further comprises reducing an incidence of afuture cardiovascular event or stroke.
 18. The method of claim 11wherein a post-neuromodulation condition of the parameter associatedwith the anxiety disorder is improved compared to a baseline conditionof the parameter.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the baselinecondition and the post-neuromodulation condition are determined using ananxiety screening tool for determining a severity of the anxietydisorder of the patient.
 20. The method of claim 11 wherein at leastpartially inhibiting sympathetic neural activity in the patient in amanner that results in a therapeutically beneficial improvement in ameasurable parameter associated with the anxiety disorder includes oneor more of— improving a sleep pattern of the patient; improving a sleepquality of the patient; reducing a morning surge blood pressure in thepatient; reducing a nocturnal blood pressure in the patient; increasinga heart rate variability of the patient; increasing baroreceptorsensitivity in the patient; reducing a plasma cortisol level in thepatient; reducing a level of glucocorticoid resistance in the patient;and reducing a level of an inflammatory biomarker in the patient.